Much of the treatment of diabetes is the prevention and avoidance of complications. The complications of diabetes include heart disease, stroke, eye problems which can cause blindness, kidney disease, and vascular problems that can lead to foot amputation. Sixty percent of those with type 2 diabetes have one or more serious health problem related to the disease.
Heart disease: This is the most frequently observed complication of diabetes. Heart disease is the leading cause of death associated with the disease. Chronic high blood sugar causes narrowing of the arteries, higher levels of triglycerides, lower levels of good (HDL) cholesterol, high blood pressure, and heart attack. Adults with diabetes have heart disease rates about 2 times higher than those who do not.Kidney disease and kidney failure: When kidney disease occurs, the kidneys stop filtering waste and excess water from the blood. Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease and this complication of diabetes often ends in kidney failure. When kidney failure occurs, a persons only options for survival are dialysis or kidney transplant.
Vision problems: Approximately fifty percent of all people with diabetes eventually develop vision problems. They are at higher risk for cataracts and glaucoma than those without the disease. The most severe complication of diabetes involving the eyes is diabetic retinopathy which occurs when the tiny blood vessels inside the retina become damaged. Many of the vision problems associated with diabetes can be treated with much greater success when caught early.
Nerve damage: Numbness, pain and weakness due to nerve damage is a complication of diabetes. This often occurs in the legs, feet, arms and hands. The heart, digestive tract, and other organs can also have damage.
Infections: Those with diabetes have an elevated risk of getting infections. Foot infections are common in people with diabetes. Nerve damage and poor blood circulation puts those with diabetes at a higher risk for developing infected foot ulcers. Yeast infections on the skin and urinary tract are also common.
Sexual problems: Men with diabetes are three times more likely to have erectile dysfunction than men who do not have the disease. They are also more likely to have it earlier in life. About one third of women with diabetes may experience little or no sexual desire. Women often report a lack of sensation in the genital area, inability to reach orgasm and vaginal dryness resulting in pain or discomfort during sexual relations.
Foot problems: Nerve damage associated with diabetes can lead to serious foot problems. The inability to feel pain may result in the patient neglecting cuts and bruises which can lead to chronic infections. The loss of feeling can also result in Charcot foot which is a condition that affects the joints in the feet. The joints are repeatedly subjected to trauma and injury, resulting in damage to the ligaments, cartilage, and bones.
It's important to know how serious the complications of diabetes can be. The person with the disease is the one most responsible for doing the things necessary to minimize or avoid them. Think of diabetes care as full time job, and avoiding complications is well worth the effort. It's also important to know that keeping blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible is always the first line of defense.
