If not controlled, diabetes can put you at risk for a host of
complications that can affect nearly every organ in the body. They include:
·
The heart and blood vessels
·
The
eyes
·
The
kidneys
·
The
nerves
·
The
gums and teeth
Heart Disease, Blood
Vessel Disease, and Diabetes
Heart
disease and blood vessel
disease are the biggest complications that people with uncontrolled diabetes
face. In 2004, approximately 68% of diabetes-related death certificates among
people aged 65 years or older were related to heart disease, with stroke being
noted in 16% of death certificates. Diabetes can also cause poor blood
flow in the legs and feet (peripheral artery disease).
Adults with diabetes have heart disease death rates about
two to four times higher than adults without diabetes.The risk for stroke is
two to four times higher .
Many
studies show that controlling diabetes can prevent or stop the progression of
heart and blood vessel disease.
Blood
vessel damage or nerve damage (see below) may also lead to foot problems that can
lead to amputations. More than 60% of leg and foot amputations not related to
an injury are due to diabetes.
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Diabetes and the Eyes
Diabetes
is the leading cause of new blindness in the
U.S. in adults ages 20-74. It can cause a number of eye problems,
some of which can lead to blindness if not addressed. The eye disorders
include:
·
Glaucoma
·
Cataracts
·
Diabetic
retinopathy
Studies
show that regular eye exams and timely treatment of diabetes-related eye
problems could prevent up to 90% of diabetes-related blindness.
Kidney Disease and
Diabetes
Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure in adults
in the U.S., accounting for 44% of new cases in 2008.Drugs that lower blood pressure (even if you don't have high blood pressure) can lower risk of kidney failure by 33%.
Diabetes and Your Nerves
Over
time, high blood sugar levels can harm the nerves. This can lead to loss of sensation
or feeling (usually starting in the toes) or pain and burning of the feet. Approximately 60-70% of people with diabetes have
some form of nerve damage.
Diabetes-related
nerve damage can also cause pain in the legs, arms, and hands, and can cause
problems with digestion, going to the bathroom, or having sex.
Diabetes and Your Teeth
People
with diabetes are at high risk for gum disease. Keeping your diabetes under control, seeing your
dentist regularly, and taking good daily care of your teeth can prevent gum
disease and tooth loss.
The Cause of Diabetes
Complications
Diabetes
complications are caused by damage to the blood vessels, nerves, or both.
Symptoms of Diabetes
Complications
Symptoms
vary depending on the diabetes complication that you have. You may have:
·
No
symptoms if you have heart disease or atherosclerosis of a large blood vessel, unless you have a heart attack or stoke. Disease of the large blood vessels in
your legs may cause problems with blood circulation, leading to leg cramps,
changes in skin color, and decreased sensation.
·
Vision problems, vision loss, or pain in your eye if
you have diabetic eye disease
·
No
symptoms if you have early diabetes-related kidney disease. Swelling of the
legs and feet occur in more advanced stages of kidney failure.
·
Tingling,
numbness, burning, or shooting or stabbing pain in the feet, hands, or other
parts of your body, if the nerves are affected by diabetes (peripheral diabetic neuropathy). If the nerves that control internal organs are damaged
(autonomic neuropathy), you may have sexual problems, digestive problems (a
condition called gastroparesis); difficulty sensing when your bladder is
full; dizziness, fainting, or difficulty knowing when your blood sugar
is low.
Prevention of Diabetes Complications
When
diabetes complications are found early, you might only have to take medication
to prevent progression of the disease. Only minor lifestyle changes may be
necessary. For example, if you have early diabetic nephropathy, you can take
medication to prevent further damage. Early treatment for a complication and
keeping your blood sugar levels within a safe range can help slow the
progression of your complication and may prevent other complications from
developing.
Treatment of Diabetes Complications
Treatment
of diabetes complications focuses on slowing the progression of the damage.
That may include medication, surgery, or other treatment options.
But
the most important treatment to slow the progression of diabetes complications
is to keep your blood sugar levels tightly in control and to treat high blood
pressure and high
cholesterol.
