What all should a diabetic patient know about the symptoms of Covid-19?

Bengaluru: Severity and complications in illness can arise due to pre-existing ailment. Diabetes is one such comorbidity for Covid-19 patients.

The second wave of the pandemic is claiming the lives of even healthier ones. Diabetic patients also high risks of severity and mortality. There could be more symptoms and complications that they may be prone to due to their illness.

Here is what makes diabetes a bad comorbidity

Insulin production in the body is compromised due to bad glucose level. It also suppresses immunity. This ailment can make it difficult for a person to make use of the nutrients. They may have poor blood flow and also take a longer time to recover.

Getting infected with Covid-19 can make it even harder to fight the virus. Moreover, it can invite other infections. According to doctors, diabetic people are not just prone to hospitalisation but, also have underlying vascular issues. This increases the chance to suffer from cardiovascular lapses, respiratory decline and chronic lung diseases.Besides, they also need to be extra careful of the symptoms of Covid-19.

The second wave of Covid-19 exhibits some unusual symptoms before the common ones strike. These include skin rashes, inflammation and allergy symptoms. People who suffer from uncontrolled blood sugar levels are likely to have Covid toes, nails, hives and red spots which are all signs of the virus.

Those with diabetes are more prone to skin manifestations and slower healing from cuts and wounds. Increased blood sugar can make your skin dry due to which the chances of inflammation, blisters, swelling and red patches can occur. Therefore, diabetic patients should be cautious enough to take care of their skin health and look out for these early signs.

Covid pneumonia

Pneumonia poses a threat for Covid patients and more so for those who are diabetic. Respiratory health could be compromised with high inflammation levels and uncontrolled blood sugar markers. Doctors say that high blood sugar level makes way for the virus to enter the body easily and cause further damage. Those suffering from both, Type-1 and Type-2 diabetes are at high risk.

Lack of oxygen

A decline in oxygen saturation levels is one of the biggest complications for Covid-19 patients. Diabetes suppresses immune functioning and studies prove that people with pre-existing sugar disorders have higher chances of suffering from low oxygen levels and related symptoms. This includes breathlessness, shortness of breath, chest pain and pulmonary problems. Hypoxia is a condition when the oxygen level crashes without other visible symptoms. It is commonly seen in diabetic patients.

Mucormycosis or Black Fungus

Black fungus is adding to the worries of Covid-10 patients. This mysterious fungus causes facial deformity, swelling, headaches and irritation in those who are recovering or have recovered. This is most often found in those who suffer from diabetes and/or are put on steroid therapy.

Doctors are of the view that diabetes, being an inflammatory condition, suppresses the functioning of the immune system because of which there is a higher risk of catching such infections. Also, fungi breed well in bodies with high blood sugar level.