Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects millions of people and requires careful management, often including blood sugar control and cardiovascular health. It alters or negatively affects other systems in the body, such as the ears, nose, and throat (ENT). Problems with the ENT system can cause problems with overall health and, if left untreated, can lead to complications. For this reason, many complications can be avoided with regular ENT visits. For someone living with diabetes, these visits are not just recommended; they are necessary. The first step is to find a good diabetes doctor from your local area who knows the connections in the body.
High blood sugar, after a while, will cause damage to the small blood vessels in the ears, nose, and throat system. The ENT system is very sensitive to prolonged high blood sugar levels, as damage to the small blood vessels and the nerves will present itself in the form of hearing loss, repeat sinus infections, and throat problems. These can happen over time, and prompt treatment can make a difference for those living with diabetes. Finding an experienced ENT in Abu Dhabi (or wherever you live) who specialises in treating diabetic patients will improve your chances for a full recovery.
Reasons Why Diabetic Patients Should Attend Regular Check-Ups
If you have diabetes or are at risk of getting it, you have a greater risk of severe health problems. However, regular screenings may reduce your risks and maintain control.
- Detect health issues early: Diabetes tends to put a person at risk of complications such as heart disease, eye problems, kidney damage, and stroke. Regular check-ups allow a healthcare provider to detect these complications and stop them from getting worse.
- Determine blood sugar levels: Regular blood sugar checks determine if your glucose levels are in a healthy range; this frequency allows diabetes doctors to feel comfortable keeping blood sugar levels under control, avoiding complications.
- Adjust medications: Along with dietary restrictions, diabetes treatment consists of medications. Not only do people’s responses to medication differ, but the treatment plan is also not a one-size-fits-all solution for everybody. Regular health checks provide an opportunity for the doctor to evaluate the treatment plan, make medication changes when necessary, and talk about concerns or side effects.
- Provide dietary and activity guidance: Diet and exercise considerations are an important part of the diabetes management plan. Knowing a person’s blood sugar levels – in real-time or as an average – will help a doctor teach about diet.
Most Common ENT Disorders in Patients with Diabetes
- Hearing Loss: Hearing disability is quite common in diabetic patients, which is primarily due to injury affecting either or both cochleae nerves or even tiny blood vessels associated with the inner ear. It is indicated that people suffering from diabetes are more prone to hearing impairment than those without the condition. Regular ENT checkups could help patients identify undetected hearing problems early while allowing for proper intervention.
- Sinus infections: People with diabetes are more susceptible to infections due to compromised immunity. Sinusitis has the highest recurrence period, resulting in ceaseless nagging pain and breath restriction. A competent ENT specialist in Abu Dhabi can help patients manage chronic sinus infections effectively with as little impact on everyday functioning as possible.
- Dry Mouth and Oral Infections: An increase in glucose concentrations for some people causes an increased secretion from saliva that is very sweet and promotes the growth of microorganisms. A higher level of salivary glucose means that there is a significantly increased risk of experiencing reduced food intake owing to the challenges the patient has in swallowing and also the increased risk of loss of teeth. An ENT specialist in Abu Dhabi can recommend appropriate treatments and preventive measures to maintain oral health.
- Dizziness and Balance Disturbances: Dizziness or a condition of partial blindness can result from diabetic neuropathy changes produced when coordination is impaired. Some tests by ENT specialists might explain what is causing dizziness and coordinate therapy.
How do ENT specialists and diabetes doctors work together?
Taking care of a patient with diabetes should be a multidisciplinary effort and requires close collaboration between the diabetes doctor and the ENT specialists in the Abu Dhabi region. Since diabetes can be detrimental to ear, nose, and throat health, collaboration is important to detect complications early and to act. The diabetes doctor provides a complete picture of the patient’s overall diabetic condition, while the ENT specialists in Abu Dhabi have specialised experience in diagnosing and treating ear, nose, and throat issues related to diabetes. The collaboration allows the patient to receive complete care by preventing further damage to ear, nose, and throat health and improves the patient’s quality of life.
In Summary
Proper management of diabetes helps improve health other than managing blood sugar. To manage, control, or reduce the risk of developing complications such as hearing loss, chronic sinus infections, oral health changes, or balance disorders, you must visit your ENT specialist in Abu Dhabi regularly. These complications must be taken seriously, as ignoring them can result in very serious long-term complications and deterioration in overall health. Managing your diabetes alongside a diabetes doctor is important for your metabolic health, but so is managing your ENT complications. Managing the complications of diabetes by being proactive will help both your health and your quality of life. Don’t wait alone to manage your ENT—prioritise your ENT health and check in for a checkup.