For those not already in the know, diabetes is a chronic disease that affects many people in the U.S. To contextualize what this means in a country with nearly 330 million people, we need only look at a very eye-opening study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to the 2020 study, an estimated 32 million Americans have diabetes. And close to 90 million people in this country are prediabetic, meaning they have above-average blood glucose levels that put them at risk of eventually developing diabetes. 

Understanding Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

Before delving into the havoc that diabetes can wreak on one's life, let's take a moment to understand the two variants of the disease, type 1 and type 2, and what distinguishes them from one another. The long and short of it is type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune reaction whereby the body mistakenly destroys cells in the pancreas responsible for secreting insulin. On the other hand, type 2 diabetes is severe insulin resistance caused by genetic or poor lifestyle choices. For context, insulin resistance means that the body is not using the insulin secreted by the pancreas.

To fully wrap our minds around the consequences of having no insulin in the body or becoming insulin resistant, it helps to know more about the role of insulin. In short, the role of insulin in the body is two-fold insofar as it helps transport blood glucose to various cells in the body that uses it for energy. And it also works with the liver to regulate blood sugar levels in the bloodstream, which is crucial since high blood sugar levels can cause diabetic complications. Since we are already on the topic, it is worth noting many people with diabetes, type 1 or type 2, develop diabetic complications due to having low or no insulin coupled with high blood sugar levels. 

Diabetes and the Associated Health Hazards 

When someone has type 1 or type 2 diabetes, regularly checking their blood sugar levels should be a top priority.  And this is because blood sugar levels that are too high or too low can trigger a wide range of additional health problems.  Studies show that low blood sugar, meaning blood sugar levels measuring 50 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or below, can trigger some of the following symptoms:

• Feelings of nervousness

• Dizziness and trembling

• Profuse sweating

• Changes in appetite

• Weakness 

• Heart palpitations

• Seizures 

• Loss of consciousness

Turning our attention now to high blood sugar, when individuals have blood sugar levels that are too high, meaning 160 mg/dL or higher, for too long, it can set the stage for dangerous diabetic complications.  And one of those complications is diabetic neuropathy.

Diabetic Neuropathy: What You Should Know About Complications Caused by High Blood Sugar

For those not familiar with diabetic neuropathy, it is a complication caused by high blood sugar levels brought on by poorly managed diabetes.  In a study published by EndocrineWeb, researchers revealed that 20 percent and 50 percent of individuals with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, respectively, struggle with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. In essence, high blood sugar caused by having too little or no insulin eventually damages the nerves in the legs and feet. The same nerve injury can affect the hands and feet as well. Some of the more common symptoms of diabetic peripheral neuropathy include the following:

• Sharp, shooting pain 

• Paresthesia and numbness 

• Developing ulcers and infections that affect the feet

• Bone and joint pain 

• Becoming increasingly sensitive to being touch 

Additional Types of Diabetic Neuropathy

Although peripheral neuropathy is the most common, diabetic neuropathy caused by high blood sugar due to poorly managed type 1 or type 2 diabetes can include the following:

Autonomic neuropathy - In short, the body's autonomic nervous system regulates how the heart, bladder, stomach, intestines, sex organs, and eyes function. When someone develops autonomic neuropathy, it can impact all of these areas and trigger the following symptoms in the process:

• Eye dilation problems

• Nausea and vomiting

• A loss of appetite

• Slow digestion

• Sexual dysfunction

• Bladder problems 

Focal neuropathy - As the name might suggest, this type of diabetic neuropathy affects vision.  And there are two distinct types, cranial and peripheral. When triggered by prolonged high blood sugar levels, both variants of focal neuropathy can cause the following symptoms:

• Blurry or double vision

• An aching sensation that is in just one eye

• Paralysis affecting one side of the face

• Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the hands or fingers

The Dangers of Hormonal Imbalances and Diabetes in Men 

By themselves, diabetes and hormonal imbalances can wreak havoc on a man's health and overall well-being. But when they happen in concert, things can get very interesting for most men. For instance, several studies show that individuals with diabetes are also more likely to have low testosterone and human growth hormone (HGH) levels. And this combination alone can contribute to the following: 

Poor blood circulation and brain health - In short, high blood sugar resulting from type 1 or type 2 diabetes can damage small blood vessels in the brain. More specifically, it gradually destroys what is known as "white matter" in the brain. According to Dr. Joseph C. Masdeu, who is with the Houston Methodist Neurological Institute, this can interfere with signaling between nerves. Further, it can lead to vascular cognitive impairment or vascular dementia the longer the condition goes untreated. 

Metabolism - In addition to spiking blood sugar levels in the body, too little or no insulin can negatively impact metabolism by interfering with our ability to burn fat and maintain a healthy weight. And all of this applies to the following types of metabolism:

• Carbohydrate Metabolism

• Protein Metabolism

• Fat Metabolism

The Trifecta: What You Should Know About Diabetes, High Blood Sugar, and Gynecomastia 

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, gynecomastia is a medical condition in which men develop enlarged breasts, often similar in shape and size to female breasts. In nearly all cases, this medical phenomenon stems from low HGH levels in the bloodstream, which triggers insulin resistance synonymous with type 2 diabetes. On a side note for those who are conserved with a question does low testosterone cause gynecomastia, some studies state that it does.  

Final Thoughts: Avoiding the Perils of Diabetic Nerve Problems

In summary, if you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, it would be in your best interest to stay on top of your blood sugar levels.  And this is especially true for those with high blood sugar, which is linked to diabetic nerve problems.  That said, there are three ways to go about conquering this seemingly monumental feat.  And they include consuming less high glycemic index foods known to spike blood sugar, checking and monitoring your blood sugar levels with a glucometer, and scheduling regular checkups with your physician.  Exercising regularly, staying hydrated, and getting plenty of sleep can help in this regard as well.  Lastly, it is also a good idea to schedule routine physical exams with a licensed physician.