Yes, but only if the condition is allowed to reach extreme proportions. If patients eat right, exercise regularly and take their medication punctually, then their lifespan should be around the population average.
Managing diabetes is managing the body’s blood sugar. Some form of diabetes reduces the body’s ability to produce insulin - the hormone which breaks down blood glucose. As a result, the blood sugar builds up, leading to a condition called hyperglycemia, which increases blood pressure, and can eventually lead to diabetic coma.
Another problem is hypoglycemia, where the body’s blood sugar can drop too low, especially if the patient is taking insulin. Without blood sugar, the body’s cells has no energy to absorb for it’s activities and starts shutting down. In extreme cases the patient starts having seizures and also eventually goes into a coma.
The above two scenarios are very rare, and a patient will see the warning signs long before the worst symptoms can manifest. As long as the patient is careful with his health, keeps a constant check on blood sugar levels, takes regular exercise and eats properly, there really isn’t anything to worry about. |