Diabetes complications

It is important that people are aware of diabetes complications because, over time, diabetes can damage the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves. Worse still, the individual concerned may not even know damage is taking place! The causes of diabetes complications is unclear. However, changes in the small blood vessels and nerves are common. These changes may be the first step toward many of the diabetes complications that could occur. Scientists can't predict who will develop diabetes complications, but they are most likely to occur in someone who has had the condition for many years.

The most serious diabetes complications are naturally those that are life-threatening and heart disease tops the list. Deposits of fat and cholesterol can build-up in the arteries that supply the heart with blood and if this build up blocks blood from getting to the heart, a potentially fatal heart attack can occur. Another of the recognised diabetes complications concerns the eyes. Frequently, the effects are temporary and can be corrected with better diabetes control. However, long-term diabetes can cause changes in the eyes that threaten vision. Cataract and glaucoma are eye diseases directly linked to diabetes complications, as is retinopathy, a disease of the retina, the light sensing tissue at the back of the eyes. Other diabetes complications affect the leg and foot due to changes in blood vessels and nerves in these areas. Peripheral vascular disease is a condition in which blood vessels become narrowed by fatty deposits, reducing blood supply to the legs and feet. Someone with this condition, called peripheral neuropathy, might not notice a sore spot caused by tight shoes or pressure from walking. If ignored, the sore can become infected, and because blood circulation is poor, the area may take longer to heal. Further diabetes complications include a greater likelihood of infections, such as boils and ulcers. Infections also can affect the teeth and gums, making people with diabetes more susceptible to periodontal disease, an inflammation of tissue surrounding and supporting the teeth.

In short, diabetes complications can lead to blindness, kidney failure, heart disease, nerve damage, limb amputations and even death. On top of all that, further diabetes complications come from prescriptive medications; as the drugs can have toxic side effects including, but not limited to, nausea, diarrhoea, skin rash, weight gain, respiratory infections, liver damage, and violent headaches. All in all the diabetes complications serve to underline just how important it is to diagnose the condition promptly and properly and manage it in a sensible way.