Complications of Diabetes
Complications of Diabetes
Diabetes is classified as a chronic, or lifelong, disease. In simple terms, diabetes is a disease where the blood sugar in the body is high due to problems with insulin.
Someone who suffers from either form is at risk of developing complications. The complications of diabetes are numerous and sometimes even life threatening.
Eye Complications:
Eye complications associated with diabetes include an increased risk for cataracts, retinopathy and glaucoma. All three complications occur due to long term high blood sugar levels.
Cataracts occur when the lens of the eye becomes clouded. They are possible to surgically remove.
Retinopathy occurs when the light-sensitive retina is damaged. It is possible to slow or reverse retinopathy with better blood sugar management. If left untreated, retinopathy results in blindness.
Glaucoma is a term used to describe pressure build up in the eye. If left untreated, glaucoma results in damage to both the retina and optic nerve. Eventually it causes blindness.
Diabetic Nephropathy:
Diabetic nephropathy is a type of kidney disease that results as a complication of diabetes. This occurs when blood sugar is not managed for an extended period of time and is prevented by keeping blood sugar within healthy ranges.
Anyone who develops kidney disease as a result of diabetes will receive appropriate prescriptions for medications to either clean the blood properly or to improve the kidneys. The worst case requires a kidney transplant.
Diabetic Neuropathy:
Diabetic neuropathy, otherwise known as damage to the nerves, is one of the potentially dangerous complications. Symptoms include tingling, numbness or sharp pain in the area where nerves are damaged.
The danger comes from the fact that when numbness occurs, diabetic patients might cut or injure the area without realizing it and end up with severe infections.
Heart and Blood Vessel Complications:
Diabetics have a higher risk of blood vessel complications and heart health problems. The risk of heart attack, stroke, heart disease and blocked blood vessels at the body’s extremities is increased.
The risk for heart and blood vessel complications is reduced by keeping the body in healthy weight ranges, exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet and taking diabetic medications as directed by a doctor.
Foot Complications:
Complications of diabetes in the feet are a common problem associated with diabetes. Poor blood flow to the feet as a result of high blood sugar can result in damaged nerves and numerous problems with the feet. Fortunately, doctors look for foot related problems early in diabetes to prevent the worst problems if possible.
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