Diabetes is a chronic condition requiring consistent management to prevent various health complications. Maintaining a stable blood sugar level can be a balancing act, and without proper care, several complications can arise over time. Recognizing these potential issues can help in both prevention and early detection.
Heart and Blood Vessel Disease
Cardiovascular issues are among the most severe concerns for those with diabetes. The chances of developing conditions such as heart disease, stroke, and atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) are significantly higher. These conditions can lead to life-threatening events like heart attacks and are a primary cause of death in diabetic patients.
Nerve Damage (Neuropathy)
High blood sugar levels over an extended period can injure the walls of the tiny blood vessels that nourish your nerves. This can cause tingling, numbness, burning, or pain, usually beginning at the tips of the toes or fingers and gradually spreading upwards. If left untreated, you could lose all sense of feeling in the affected limbs, increasing the risk of injury.
Kidney Damage (Nephropathy)
The kidneys contain millions of tiny blood vessel clusters that filter waste from your blood. Diabetes can damage this delicate filtration system, leading to kidney failure or end-stage kidney disease, which may require dialysis or a kidney transplant.
Eye Damage
Diabetes can lead to various eye conditions, including cataracts, glaucoma, and the most severe, diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is caused by damage to the blood vessels of the retina and can lead to blindness.
Foot Damage
Nerve damage in the feet or poor blood flow can lead to serious complications. Cuts and blisters can become serious infections and may heal poorly. These infections can ultimately necessitate toe, foot, or even leg amputation.
Skin Conditions
Diabetes may leave you more susceptible to skin problems, including bacterial and fungal infections. Itchy skin, patches of dark, velvety skin called acanthosis nigricans, and other skin conditions are also more common.
Hearing Impairment
Hearing problems are more common in people with diabetes, potentially due to the damage to the small blood vessels and nerves in the ear.