Patient's question:
What pathological changes may occur with long-term use of painkillers? My mother used to take painkillers for a long time to treat her foot pain. She has lower limb edema, which was resolved through diuretics. Now she is not taking any painkillers, but drinking too much water may also cause lower limb edema.Doctor's answer:
Diabetes is a common disease caused by the combined effects of intergenerational genetic factors and environmental factors. High blood sugar is the main clinical diagnostic indicator. Common symptoms include excessive thirst, excessive urination, excessive hunger, and weight loss. If left untreated, diabetes can cause harm to multiple body systems, leading to absolute or relative insufficient insulin secretion and reduced insulin sensitivity in target tissue cells. It also brings about a series of catabolic disorders, such as proteins, fats, water, and electrolytes, with high blood sugar being the primary marker. Typical clinical cases may manifest as excessive thirst, excessive urination, excessive hunger, and weight loss, known as the "more than three, less than" symptoms.