Complications of Diabetes

Your body metabolizes most food you eat into glucose which gives you energy. Insulin (a hormone produced by the pancreas) facilitates this process by allowing the glucose to enter all the cells of your body and be used as energy. When you have a shortage of insulin or your body cannot use insulin properly, it results in Diabetes. In diabetes, the cells don't receive glucose and most of it is accumulated in the blood. Too much sugar in the blood can lead to serious health problems, including heart disease and damage to the nerves and kidneys.

Failing to control diabetes can give rise to many complications. The above normal blood sugar level can damage your blood vessels and nerves, leading to these complications. Men and women are equally susceptible to diabetes complications; however, men are more affected by several diabetes related health problems as compared to women. Both type 1 (when the body doesn't produce any insulin) and type 2 (when the body either doesn't produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin) diabetes may develop the same complications and can disrupt a variety of bodily systems. They may occur over many different timescales from the date of diagnosis, or even many years after diabetes has developed. Here are some of the common complications:

• Cardiovascular Diseases
  

  People with diabetes are 5 times more prone to risk for heart attack and stroke. Increased sugar in the blood may narrow the blood vessels resulting in a poor blood supply to the heart, causing angina. If a blood vessel in your heart or brain is completely blocked, it results in a heart attack or stroke. One thing you can do to reduce your risk of cardiovascular diseases is to have a healthy weight. If you're overweight, try to lose some and stay there.

• Kidney Diseases
  

  When blood sugar is high, it can put too much stress on kidneys causing serious damage to the blood vessels, leading to kidney disease. In rare, severe cases, this can lead to kidney failure and the need for a kidney transplant. Diabetic kidney disease takes many years to develop. Overall, kidney damage rarely occurs in the first 10 years of diabetes, and usually 15 to 25 years will pass before kidney failure occurs. The best way to reduce this risk is to keep your blood sugar in check. Steer clear of smoking, which can increase the risk of kidney problems.

• Eye Diseases
  

  Diabetes causes the veins in the retina to narrow, harden or bulge leading to various retinal diseases like Cataracts, Retinopathy and Glaucoma. It may also lead to an increase in power, partial blindness or double vision. A frequently changing sugar level can cause problems with the balance of fluid in the eye's lens. The lens can absorb too much fluid, which makes it swell and causes blurred vision. Keeping your blood sugar and blood pressure levels under control and avoiding tobacco may help you avoid eye problems associated with diabetes.

• Infections
  

  Infections are a very important concern for diabetics because the high sugar level weakens the immune system. Diabetics are especially prone to foot infections, yeast infections, urinary tract infections and surgical site infections. Also some diabetes-related health issues, such as nerve damage and reduced blood flow to the extremities, increases the body's vulnerability to infection. You need to take a proper hygiene care to reduce your chances of getting an infection

• Neuropathy (Nerve Damage)
  

  If blood glucose is not well controlled, the body's nerves can be damaged, leading to diabetic neuropathy. Diabetic neuropathy makes it hard for your nerves to send messages to the brain and other parts of the body. If you have nerve damage, you may have tingling, burning or stabbing pain in your hands, feet or other parts of your body, especially at night. Neuropathy most often affects the feet and legs. If you have neuropathy, you may not be able to feel a small injury on your foot. The injury, if not quickly treated, can become infected and, in serious cases, the foot may have to be amputated (removed). If you have diabetes, check your feet every day and see your doctor immediately if you see swelling or redness in your foot. It's important to keep your blood glucose levels as near normal as possible to help prevent neuropathy.

• Dental Problems
  

  Diabetic people are more likely than others to develop periodontal disease, an inflammation of tissue surrounding and supporting the teeth, because of diabetes. This is because of reduced blood supply to the gums and also because of more plaque and less saliva in their mouth. Treating diabetes and following a dentist's advice on dental care can help prevent periodontal disease.

• Skin Diseases
  

  Skin problems are often an indicator of Diabetes. People with diabetes are more likely to develop infections, like boils and ulcers etc. Typical problems include bacterial and fungal infections, itching caused by poor circulation and scaly, light brown patches on the legs, known as diabetic dermopathy. Avoiding it by taking good care of your skin and having lots of vitamin C is the way to go forward.

• Foot Diseases
  

  Leg and foot problems can arise in people with diabetes due to damage to both large and small blood vessels, which is much more common in diabetes. Experts suggest that around 10 per cent of people with diabetes develop a foot ulcer at some point. Avoiding diabetes foot ulcers is a matter of taking good care of the feet and getting them checked by a doctor once a year.

To prevent or delay these complications, keep your blood sugar level as close to normal as possible and follow your doctor's instructions. It is important to follow your diabetes management plan, and get regular medical care and checkups by your doctor. Your doctor can detect many diabetes problems before they start causing symptoms and help you get the treatment you need.

Diabetes and its complications can make life a constant struggle. It is a lot of work to monitor your health, keep up with your doctor appointments, and control your blood sugar. You may feel depressed, frustrated or even sad at times. But don't give up as people with health problems from diabetes can still live their lives to the fullest. Take it as a challenge and you will succeed.