How long does high blood sugar take to cause damage?

Symptoms of hyperglycemia develop slowly over several days or weeks. The longer blood sugar levels stay high, the more serious the symptoms become. However, some people who’ve had type 2 diabetes for a long time may not show any symptoms despite elevated blood sugar levels.

What percent of diabetics develop complications?

Between 60 and 70 percent of people with diabetes exhibit damage to their nervous systems that ranges from minor to severe.

Does diabetes always lead to complications?

Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to a number of short and long-term health complications, including hypoglycemia, heart disease, nerve damage and amputation, and vision problems.

How often do you see chronic diabetes complications in your practice what steps will you take to prevent them?

Expect to see your doctor two to four times a year. If you take insulin or need help balancing your blood sugar levels, you may need to visit more often. Also get a yearly physical and eye exam. You should be screened for eye, nerve, and kidney damage, and other complications.

How long does it take to get diabetes complications?

But if you get an early diagnosis, it is almost certain you will have none of these complications at diagnosis, because studies of people with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes suggest that it takes about 5 years of exposure to high blood sugars for any of these complications to develop.

How do you die from diabetes complications?

Another way diabetes can lead to death is by damage done to organs and tissues in the body over a long period of time. “For example, the blood vessels in the kidneys can be damaged by high blood sugar,” says Dr. Mcclain—a complication that can lead to kidney failure and require dialysis.

How long to reverse diabetes with diet?

An extreme diet of just 600 calories a day may reverse diabetes in some patients, a new study finds. After one week on the diet, diabetes patients saw their blood glucose levels return to normal, indicating their diabetes had gone into remission. Eight of the 11 patients remained diabetes-free three months after they stopped the diet.