5 Common Complications of Diabetes
1. Cardiovascular Disease
Most people are unaware that cardiovascular disease is a serious consequence of Diabetes Mellitus Type 2. The truth is that at least 60% of diabetics have high blood pressure lipid disorders and at least half of these patients are untreated. As many as 2 out of 3 diabetics will die from heart disease and stroke.
High cholesterol is more damaging to a diabetic than others because increased blood glucose levels causes low density lipids (LDL) to become artery and vein blocking plaques known as arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis which cause most heart attacks and strokes.
The risk of diabetic death from cardiovascular disease and stroke is 4 times higher than in non–diabetics and occurs at a much younger age. High blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease and blindness. Unfortunately, high blood pressure and high cholesterol do not usually have symptoms. Because of these facts, management of Type 2 Diabetes must include screening and aggressive management of cholesterol and blood pressure.
2. Kidney Disease
Kidney disease can be caused by high blood sugar. The kidneys filter waste products out of blood and release them into the urine while keeping important nutrients such as protein and blood cells. When high levels of sugar are present in the blood, the kidneys have to work harder and become damaged and leaky.
Microalbuminuria develops when the kidneys begin to leak small amounts of protein into the urine. This can progress to macroalbuminuria which is large amounts of protein leaking into the urine and eventually end stage renal disease (ESRD). If ESRD is developed, the kidneys no longer work and waste stays in the blood. A diabetic in ESRD will need dialysis or transplant, unfortunately diabetics often don’t qualify for transplant due to other medical conditions.
Symptoms of developing kidney disease begin with fluid buildup and may progress to loss of sleep, poor appetite, stomach upset, difficulty concentrating and weakness.
High blood pressure also contributes to the development of kidney disease so it is essential to keep blood sugar and blood pressure under control.
3. Eye Complications
Several types of eye complications are common in diabetics and may eventually cause blindness. Most of these conditions may develop slowly and are more likely the longer you have Diabetes Mellitus Type 2.
Glaucoma is 40% more likely in Type 2 Diabetes and the risk increases with age. High blood glucose levels cause eye pressure to build up causing loss of blood supply to the retina and optic nerve eventually resulting in blindness.
Cataracts are 60% more likely, occur at a younger age and progress at a faster rate in Diabetes Mellitus Type 2. Cataracts cause the eye’s lens to get cloudy and block vision. Often, lens replacement is the only option but lens replacement in diabetics increases the chance for retinopathy and glaucoma.
Diabetic Retinopathy occurs when the capillaries at back of eye are damaged by sugar and can weaken. Fluid and blood can leak near the retina causing vision loss. A more serious condition known as proliferative diabetic retinopathy can develop when the blood vessels of the retina become so damaged that they close off and develop scar tissue.
New vessels that are formed are often weak and brittle and may leak blood causing blocked vision from vitreous hemorrhage. The scar tissue can attach to the retina and pull it out of place causing retinal detachment resulting in blindness.
4. Neuropathy
Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage caused by high blood sugar levels. The nerves of the body are responsible of sending messages to the brain about pain, temperature and touch and for telling the muscles to move and the organs of the body to function. Destruction of nerve tissue caused by high blood sugar levels causes peripheral neuropathy with symptoms of tingling, pain and numbness in hands, feet and skin and weakness in the hands and feet.
Autonomic diabetic neuropathy causes problems with the organ systems of the body. Neuropathy can cause the intestines to stop working correctly and can also result in loss of urinary control, loss of sexual function and changes in the ability of the body to sweat.
Some of the more dangerous conditions possible because of diabetic neuropathy include the loss of warning signs of low blood sugar, heart attack and damage to the feet which can eventually result in amputation.
5. Foot and Skin Complications
Diabetics often experience troublesome skin problems all over the body. Skin changes such as dry, peeling, cracking skin may develop because the nerves controlling the oil and sweat glands malfunction from neuropathy. Diabetics also have poor circulation because the blood vessels harden and narrow causing a lowered ability to heal.
Loss of feeling in the feet will often mean that one does not notice when an injury has occurred. Diabetics are also more likely to get fungal infections of the skin and feet and foot ulcers because of high sugar levels. Each year, over 70,000 diabetics undergo amputation. Attentive foot and skin care is essential when treating Type 2 Diabetes.
Are you experiencing symptoms of diabetes?
Learn more by reading Diabetes Mellitus Type II: 5 Typical Symptoms.
