Ask the Expert: Untreated Diabetes

Jacqui Thompson
Sharp’s Diabetes Program director, Jacqui Thompson, answers a few questions about the dangers of untreated diabetes.

How serious is diabetes in today’s world?
Today, diabetes is almost an epidemic in our society. We have 21 million patients diagnosed with Type 2 adult-onset diabetes. Unfortunately, only about 15 million of those realize they have diabetes. The other people are walking around with diabetes and are not aware of the symptoms of the disease.

What is glucose?
 Glucose is our main source of energy. And it comes from two sources: either the food we eat or the liver.

What is insulin?
Our pancreas releases insulin, which is a hormone. It’s the key that opens the door to the cells and allows the insulin to go into the cells and be used for energy. And, sometimes, with diabetes we don’t make enough insulin.

What are some early symptoms of diabetes to watch for?
Instead of the glucose getting into the cells to be able to be used for energy, it builds up in the bloodstream and it will cause symptoms in some people — and some of the early symptoms are increased thirst, increased urination, you might feel extreme hunger, you’ll get some changes in your vision, blurred vision, you may get some unexpected weight loss.

In what ways can diabetic symptoms manifest over time?
Over time, high blood sugar levels damage your eyes, your kidneys, your nerves and your heart. With heart disease and stroke you’re at a much-increased risk because of poor circulation. For kidney disease, you lose the ability to filter out waste products. Foot complications are very common because of the nerve damage that occurs with diabetes, and also the poor circulation, poor blood flow.

What can I do to avoid these complications?
If you take care of yourself and you go for the tests, then you can prevent having these horrific complications. Especially nowadays, where we have access to so many improved tools.

That’s why it is so important that you are given the appropriate treatment and that you’re given the tools to manage your diabetes, that you’re trained to have a blood glucose meter and to test your own blood sugar results and understand what those results mean.

We’re here to educate you about your disease and give you the tools that you need to take care of your disease. And we give them information about the kind of tests that should be done, and the management.

For More Information
 To learn more about Sharp's diabetes services or to find a Sharp-affiliated doctor, search for a San Diego endocrinologist or call 1-800-82-SHARP (1-800-827-4277), Monday through Friday, 8 am to 6 pm. To find general information about diabetes, visit Diabetes Care in Adult Health or read the Diabetes News archive.