Can you die from diabetes? The answer is a resounding yes. In fact, it is the seventh most dreaded diseases in the world. It will also bring about 2 of the deadliest illnesses, which include cancer and cardiovascular disorders.
It also doesn't help that there are different kinds of diabetes, though the impact they have on your life will differ:
Type 1 Diabetes
Also known as juvenile diabetes, sugar diabetes, or brittle diabetes, type 1 diabetes is considered to be the most dangerous among all of them. This is because it is an autoimmune disease. The body kills off the pancreatic beta cells, which are necessary for the production of hormone called insulin. Without insulin, you cannot regulate the sugar level in your body.
Though this accounts to just 5 to 10 percent of people diagnosed with diabetes, it is very deadly. After all, so far, there is no known cure to it. The best thing that you can do is to make sure that you don't suffer from complications at early point in your life. Once you're diagnosed with it, you have to watch out you eat, exercise, and constantly monitor your blood sugar and ketone levels. It's not surprising for you to use insulin injections for many times during the day.
Regardless, you're still on the brink of developing three major complications because of type 1 diabetes. First, you have hypoglycaemia and hyperglycemia, which is the decrease and increase of blood sugar, respectively. You can damage your kidneys and nerves. You can also greatly affect your eyes. You may also suffer from ketoacidosis, which is known as diabetic coma. This means that you will lose your consciousness if your diabetes is not treated.
Type 2 Diabetes
Most of the people with diabetes, whether diagnosed or undiagnosed, have type 2 diabetes--around 90 to 95 percent. Unlike type 1 diabetes, this one is a metabolic disorder. This means that your body produces insulin; however, it's not going to be enough to control your blood sugar. Your body may also become resistant to insulin, which means it cannot utilize it properly.
Type 2 diabetes can be controlled. You may also be able to reverse it, as long as you can address it immediately. Otherwise, it would cause your death if you allow the complications to become very severe. You can reduce your chances of developing type 2 diabetes if you can shed off some pounds and live a more active lifestyle.
Gestational Diabetes
Only women can develop gestational diabetes. This is because this normally happens during pregnancy. It is characterized by the increased level of glucose in the blood. Any woman can develop the disease, but those who have family history or suffer from poor diet or bad habit such as smoking are at greater risks.
Gestational diabetes doesn't affect the baby, but he or she may be born at excess weight or suffer from hypoglycaemia. Nevertheless, it can be controlled with proper guidance from the doctor. It may also disappear after giving birth, though some tend to develop type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes is not a contagious disease, but it's life threatening. Hence, you need to pay more attention to it.