Early Screening Helps Prevent Irreversible Damage

Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects multiple systems in the body. Poorly managed diabetes does not only mean elevated blood sugar; it often comes hand-in-hand with other health issues such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. These risk factors work together to damage cells and blood vessels throughout the body. Over time, long-term neglect in diabetes control can lead to severe complications that affect major organs throughout the body.
 

Complications and Organs Affected by Poorly Controlled Diabetes

Chronically high blood sugar, combined with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and obesity, along with lifestyle factors such as stress, lack of exercise, smoking, and alcohol consumption, accelerates cellular and vascular degeneration, causing organ damage.

• Brain — Inflammation, vascular degeneration, and hardening of brain arteries can lead to stroke, paralysis, or dementia.

• Eyes — Damaged retinal blood vessels cause diabetic eye complications such as cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and retinal hemorrhage.

• Oral cavity — Increased risk of infection and inflammation leads to gum disease and tooth decay.

• Heart — Coronary artery disease, myocardial ischemia, heart attack, or heart failure caused by impaired cardiac function.

• Liver Chronic inflammation and fatty liver increase the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer.

• Kidneys — Inflammation and progressive kidney damage result in protein leakage in urine, foamy urine, swelling, and waste accumulation, potentially leading to kidney failure.

• Nervous system — Nerve degeneration causes numbness, burning pain, and muscle weakness in the hands and feet.

• Legs and feet — Poor blood circulation due to narrowed arteries causes chronic ulcers that may lead to partial foot or leg amputation.

Warning Signs of Diabetes-Related Complications

Diabetes complications are often silent. In the early stages, organ damage may progress without clear symptoms. By the time noticeable symptoms appear, the affected organs may already have sustained significant damage, requiring immediate medical attention.
Therefore, regular medical screenings are essential to detect complications early and prevent progressive organ deterioration.
 

Recommended Screening for Diabetic Patients

• Brain — Seek neurological consultation if numbness, weakness, balance problems, or swallowing difficulties occur.

• Eyes — Have an eye examination by an ophthalmologist every 1–2 years to detect early diabetic eye changes.

• Oral cavity — Visit a dentist every six months for oral health checks and professional cleaning.

• Heart —

  • Test NT-proBNP levels to screen for early signs of heart failure.

  • Undergo an ECG or, if symptoms such as chest pain or unusual fatigue occur, advanced tests like the exercise stress test or echocardiogram are recommended.

• Liver — Check liver function and screen for fatty liver as advised by your physician.

• Kidneys — Perform urine tests for protein (albumin) leakage and kidney function tests at least once a year or more frequently as recommended.

• Peripheral nerves and blood vessels — Doctors will assess for numbness, swelling, changes in skin color, or reduced circulation in the legs and feet.

Comprehensive Diabetes Care at Bumrungrad International Hospital

With specialized expertise combined with advanced diagnostic tools and internationally accredited screening technology, Bumrungrad International Hospital provides comprehensive and effective diabetes management.
 
The hospital’s multidisciplinary team approach ensures that diabetic patients receive personalized, proactive care aimed at maintaining quality of life and reducing the risk of severe long-term complications.
 
By Asst. Prof. Dr. Varaphon Vongthavaravat