Type 2 diabetes is often dismissed as just "high blood sugar." In reality, that excess
glucose acts like ground glass, silently tearing the body's vascular system apart for
decades.

The root of this damage is insulin resistance. When cells stop responding to insulin,
glucose cannot enter them to be used for energy and instead accumulates in the bloodstream. While glucose is an essential fuel source, at high concentrations it becomes
highly toxic, systematically degrading the endothelial cells lining the blood vessels.

This destruction takes two primary forms. The first is microvascular damage, which
attacks the body's smallest blood vessels. In the eyes, this leads to diabetic retinopathy,
making diabetes the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults.

In the kidneys, it destroys the intricate filtration system (nephropathy), often resulting
in kidney failure and the need for dialysis or a transplant. In the extremities, this
manifests as neuropathy. High blood sugar damages the capillaries feeding the nerves,
causing patients to lose sensation in their hands and feet. A minor blister on a numb foot
can easily go unnoticed, become infected, and, because poor circulation prevents
healing, lead to amputation.

The second form is macrovascular damage, which affects the large arteries. People with
type 2 diabetes have an accelerated rate of atherosclerosis, where plaque builds up in
the arteries. This multiplies the risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke. Cardiovascular
disease is the leading cause of death for individuals with type 2 diabetes.

What makes type 2 diabetes particularly insidious is its silent nature. For years, a person
can have elevated blood sugar levels and feel entirely normal. There is no pain
associated with the initial vascular damage. By the time symptoms like vision loss,
kidney dysfunction, or severe nerve pain appear, significant and often irreversible
damage has already been done.

Full story:
https://www.quora.com/Why-is-type-2-diabetes-dangerous

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