Diabetes and Complications

There are many long-term complications associated with Diabetes.  With proper management and a good medical team, you may be able avoid many of the more serious complications.  Here is a summary of some of the more common complications.

1.  Diabetic retinopathy. This is a microvascular disease that affects the tiny blood vessels in the back of your eyes.  High blood sugar over many years weaken the walls of the blood vessels and some blood and fluid leaks out.  Nearly every person with type 1 diabetes will have some level of retinopathy within 20 years of their diagnosis, whereas 1/4 of those type 2 diabetes will have it within 2 years  of their diagnosis.  The best way to prevent diabetic retinopathy is by maintaining normal blood sugar levels.

2.  Kidney Disease.  This is also a microvascular disease that affects small blood vessels.  Exposure to high levels of glucose over the years can create complicated changes that can allow protein molecules to escape, spilling it in the urine.  If you have diabetic retinopathy or high blood pressure, you are more likely to have kidney disease.  The best way way to prevent or slow down the progression of kidney disease is by managing your blood glucose levels and your blood sugar.  You must also follow a low protein diet. 

3.  Diabetic Neuropathy.  This is a nerve disorder in which the nerves become damaged.  It can affect many body systems, including your feet, legs, hands, urinary tract, digestive tract and sexual organs.  This is one of the most common complications of any type of diabetes.  Neuropathy is the reason for 87% of the amputations in the United States every year.  You should have regular check-ups with your medical doctor.  He or she should be testing for reflexes, eyeball motion, sensation in your feet legs etc.

4.  Heart Disease.  This refers to the diseases of the heart.  Heart failure occurs when the heart muscle is too weak to pump blood throughout your body at the rate it should.  It does not mean that your heart completely stops.    Coronary heart disease is the most common form of heart  disease.  It occurs when the coronary arteries become narrowed or clogged by cholesterol and other fat deposits and can't supply enough blood to the heart.   In a survey by the American Diabetes Association, it was discovered that 68% of those with diabetes had no idea that they had an increase risk for heart disease.

5.  Cardiovascular Disease (CVD).  This is the disease of the arteries within your entire body.  For example, a stroke or problems with the arteries in your leg would be a cardiovascular disease.  The risk factors for CVD is obesity, hypertension, high triglyceride levels, low HDL cholesterol levls and lack of physical exercise.

Diet, exercise and maintaining normal blood sugar levels are key to preventing or prolonging the onset of these complications.