Final answer:
Prolonged high blood glucose levels can lead to various forms of bodily damage such as kidney damage, nerve damage, and eye damage option (4), collectively contributing to serious health complications associated with diabetes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Prolonged high glucose levels in the blood can lead to significant damage throughout the body. The types of damage that can occur include:
- Kidney damage: High levels of glucose can harm the blood vessels in the kidneys, leading to chronic kidney disease and potentially requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant.
- Nerve damage (diabetic neuropathy): Excess glucose can injure nerve fibers throughout the body, particularly in the hands and feet, which can lead to loss of sensation or pain.
- Eye damage: The retina's blood vessels can be harmed by high glucose, leading to vision problems and possibly blindness.
Other complications of diabetes include an increased risk of coronary artery disease, stroke, infections, and tissue death, as well as the potential development of ketoacidosis due to fat metabolism when cells are deprived of glucose. Maintaining controlled blood sugar levels through lifestyle changes and medication is crucial to managing diabetes and limiting these harmful effects.