Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how the body processes blood sugar (glucose). In people with diabetes, the body either does not produce enough insulin or cannot properly use the insulin it produces, causing high blood sugar levels. There are two main types of diabetes:
- Type 1 diabetes – the body does not produce insulin.
- Type 2 diabetes – the body does not produce enough insulin or properly use it.
Diabetes requires daily care and attention. If it’s left unmanaged, it can lead to serious complications. An essential part of managing diabetes is taking medicines as prescribed. But what exactly happens if a diabetic stops taking their medication?
Short-Term Effects of Stopping Diabetes Medication
In the short-term, stopping diabetes medication can lead to the following:
- High blood sugar – Without medication to manage blood sugar, levels can quickly rise putting diabetics at risk of hyperglycemia.
- Diabetic ketoacidosis – Occurs when the body breaks down fat for energy leading to a build-up of acids called ketones. It’s life-threatening if untreated.
- Fatigue and weakness – As blood sugar levels become very high, energy levels drop leaving people feeling tired and weak.
- Increased thirst and frequent urination – The body tries to flush out excess sugar through increased urination leading to dehydration.
- Blurred vision – High blood sugar causes fluid to be pulled from the lenses of the eyes leading to swelling and blurred vision.
- Poor wound healing – High blood sugar levels interfere with the body’s ability to heal wounds and fight infections.
Within days or weeks of stopping diabetes medication, people will begin experiencing these symptoms. The longer medication is stopped, the worse symptoms can become. Without prompt treatment, diabetic ketoacidosis and other complications can develop.
Long-Term Effects of Not Taking Diabetes Medication
Over months and years of not properly managing diabetes with medication and lifestyle, high blood sugar levels can wreak havoc on the body. Long-term risks and complications include:
- Cardiovascular disease – Uncontrolled diabetes accelerates atherosclerosis increasing the risk of stroke, heart attack, and heart disease.
- Nerve damage (neuropathy) – Excess sugar damages the walls of capillaries that supply blood to nerves, especially in the legs and feet.
- Kidney damage (nephropathy) – Uncontrolled blood sugar levels put strain on the small blood vessels in the kidneys leading to damage over time.
- Eye damage (retinopathy) – High blood sugar strains the small blood vessels in the retina and can cause blindness.
- Skin conditions – People with diabetes are more prone to skin infections and conditions like bacterial and fungal infections.
- Alzheimer’s disease – Diabetes raises the risk of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.
- Depression – There is a strong link between diabetes and depression, but it’s unclear which condition influences the other.
- Lower limb amputation – Due to restricted blood vessels and nerve damage, small foot infections can lead to gangrene and amputation.
By leaving diabetes unmanaged over many years, people face severe, sometimes irreversible or fatal complications affecting nearly every system in the body. That’s why taking medication as prescribed is so important.
What Are the Treatments for Uncontrolled Diabetes?
Getting diabetes back under control after a period of not taking medication requires prompt medical treatment. Steps normally include:
- Going to an emergency room or seeing a doctor as soon as stopping medication.
- Having blood sugar measured to see if diabetic ketoacidosis is present.
- Getting rehydrated through IV fluids if dehydrated.
- Taking insulin to lower blood sugar to a safe level.
- Staying in the hospital for monitoring and treatment of any complications.
- Having an adjusted medication regimen to better control diabetes going forward.
- Closely monitoring blood sugar after leaving the hospital.
- Seeing an endocrinologist and other specialists to treat any complications.
- Working with a diabetes educator to improve diet, medication compliance, glucose monitoring, and more.
Getting diabetes under control again can take days or even weeks in the hospital. This underscores why continuing to take all prescribed diabetes medication is so critical.
Tips for Remembering to Take Diabetes Medication
For people with diabetes, remembering to take medications on time every day is extremely important for maintaining health. Here are some tips to remember diabetes medication:
- Use a pill organizer with compartments for each day and time of day.
- Set cell phone alarms and reminders for medication times.
- Place sticky notes on the bathroom mirror or fridge as reminders.
- Use apps to schedule reminders and track if medication has been taken.
- Have a family member or friend call you at medication times.
- Associate taking medication with a daily activity like eating a meal.
- Mark medication times on a daily calendar.
- Ask your pharmacist about special medication packaging with pop-out timers.
- Set up a medication box with a timer that resets when you take the medication.
It also helps to fill prescriptions well before running out so there is no gap in taking medication. By making a habit of taking medication at the same times each day and using multiple reminders, it becomes easier to stay compliant.
Lifestyle Changes to Help Manage Diabetes
While diabetes medication is essential, making healthy lifestyle changes improves how well the medication works. Recommended lifestyle steps include:
- Following a Diabetes Diet – Eat more vegetables, fiber, whole grains, healthy fats and lean protein. Avoid added sugars, saturated fats, and processed carbs.
- Exercising Regularly – Get at least 30 minutes of moderately intense exercise like brisk walking 5 days a week to lower blood sugar and A1C levels.
- Reaching and Maintaining a Healthy Weight – Losing just 5-10% of body weight can improve insulin sensitivity and diabetes control.
- Quitting Smoking – Smoking worsens diabetes complications so quitting improves heart, blood vessel, nerve, kidney and eye health.
- Limiting Alcohol – Moderate alcohol occasionally, but avoid excessive intake as it can cause blood sugar spikes and swings.
- Reducing Stress – Chronically high stress and elevated cortisol worsen diabetes. Relaxation techniques help.
- Sleeping 7-8 Hours – Poor sleep worsens insulin resistance so aim for uninterrupted, quality sleep.
Making lifestyle modifications enhances diabetes medication effectiveness and lowers the risk of complications.
Conclusion
Managing diabetes well requires a combination of taking all prescribed medications, engaging in a healthy lifestyle, and monitoring blood sugar levels. Stopping diabetes medication, even for a short while, allows blood sugar levels to rise and diabetes symptoms to return.
If left untreated, very high blood sugar leads to diabetic ketoacidosis and severe, life-threatening complications. Over the long-term, elevated blood sugar causes extensive damage to the cardiovascular system, nerves, kidneys, eyes, and other organs.
Getting diabetes under control after stopping medication requires hospitalization to stabilize blood sugar and treat any complications. To help remember taking diabetes medications, use reminders, keep an organized medication box, and make taking pills part of your daily routine.
While medication is essential, living a healthy lifestyle with good nutrition, physical activity, weight control, and stress management helps keep blood sugar levels in the optimum range. Managing diabetes requires diligence each and every day, but taking these steps greatly reduces the risks of complications and allows for the best quality of life.