As a result, glucose is not properly utilized and continues to accumulate in the bloodstream. This persistent high blood sugar damages blood vessels and nerves throughout the body, leading over time to complications such as heart disease, kidney disease, and vision impairment.

Because early-stage diabetes often causes no symptoms and is frequently discovered during routine checkups, regular testing and early intervention are crucial.

A diagnosis is made when these findings are confirmed on more than one occasion (for example, if criteria ➊ and ➍ are met in a single test, diabetes can be diagnosed).

In addition, if classic symptoms such as excessive thirst, frequent urination, or unexplained weight loss are present along with markedly high blood sugar, the diagnosis can also be made.

Persistently high blood sugar levels damage blood vessels and nerves throughout the body, causing various complications. The most common are the “three major complications”: retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy.

In diabetic retinopathy, small blood vessels in the retina are damaged, leading to bleeding or vision loss, and in advanced cases, blindness.

In diabetic nephropathy, the kidneys’ filtering function gradually declines, beginning with protein leakage into the urine and eventually leading to kidney failure requiring dialysis if untreated.

Diabetic neuropathy causes numbness or tingling in the hands and feet, making it difficult to notice injuries or infections.

In addition to these, diabetes accelerates arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), increasing the risk of life-threatening diseases such as heart attack and stroke.

Therefore, comprehensive management—including control of blood glucose, blood pressure, and lipid levels—is essential to prevent complications.