Diabetes Complications
A key goal of diabetes treatment is to prevent the development
of chronic complications because, high blood glucose levels over time
can affect the arteries and blood vasels that take that blood to our
organs, causing problems in the heart, eyes, kidneys, and nerves. We don't know for certain the cause of these complications, but
it seems that high glucose levels affect the large and small arteries. Heart Disease Diabetes doubles a person's risk of developing heart disease. In
this case, cholesterol plaque builds-up in the arteries interfering
with the normal blood supply to the heart, and that can cause a heart
attack. Also, diabetes is closely related with high blood pressure and obesity, other risks factors for heart disease. Kidney Disease Kidney disease is another of the chronic complications of diabetes.
Kidneys are our blood filters and keep proper fluid balance in
our body. When the fine arteries of the kidneys get damaged by the high
blood glucose concentrations over a long time, they start passing
proteins and other substances to the urine, while letting a lot of
those waste products in the blood, because they cannot filter well
anymore. The final consequence of this problem is kidney insufficiency
and the treatment for this is dialysis. However, proper diabetes
control can reduce the risk. Another cause for kidney problems in
diabetes, and also for eye problems is high blood pressure. Therefore,
regular blood pressure monitoring and good control can help prevent
kidney disease.
Urinary tract infections can also be a cause of kidney problems.
Microorganisms love high blood glucose and when the kidney tries to get
rid of that extra glucose through the urine, bacteria and yeast can
reproduce so happily that cause infections. High glucose concentrations
can damage the nerves that control the bladder, and the person can find
it difficult to empty his or her bladder completely. Then
microorganisms start growing in the unemptied bladder and urinary
tract, causing infection. The symptoms of a urinary tract infection are
frequent urination, pain and burning sensation when urinating, blood in
the urine, and pain in the lower abdomen and/or back. If the infection
reaches the kidneys can cause great damage. Eye Problems Diabetes is one of the main causes of vision loss, but a good
diabetes and eye examinations every year can help decrease the risk. When blood glucose is very high changes in the fluid of the lens
of the eye can cause blurred vision. Diabetes can also damage the
function of the optic nerve, which controls eyesight, causing blurred
vision. Cataract and glaucoma are frequent among people with diabetes.
Cataracts consists of a cloud that forms in the the normally clear lens
of the eye. In glaucoma the pressure within the eye can affect the
optic nerve, which function is to send the images we see to the brain.
That is why a yearly exam is so important to detect any of these
problems on time and stop them from growing. Diabetic Retinopathy Retinopathy is a disease of the retina, the tissue sensible to
light located at the back of our eyes. In this case the tiny vessels
that supply blood to the retina get swollen and leak fluid. This causes
new blood vessels to grow, trying to keep supplying the precious blood
to the retina, but causing bleed into the vitreous, the transparent gel
that fills the eye. Legs and Feet Peripheral vascular disease is caused when blood vessels cannot
supply blood to the legs and feet, due to fat deposits and damages in
the walls of the arteries. Also, high blood glucose affects the nerves,
specially the longest that run from the spine to the feet, decreasing
sensitivity in legs and feet. Every day foot care and visiting the doctor regularly are the
key to detect any wound in the feet or the legs that can get infected.
Any wound requires immediate medical attention in order to stop any
infection. If the infection spreads it can develop in gangrene and then
the doctor has to remove the tissue, usually with an amputation of the
infected part of the body. Other Effects of Diabetic Neuropathy Nerves control practically all the functions in our body, and
when high glucose damages the nerves, digestive problems like too long
digestion or diarrhea can arise, lack of erection in men or inadequate
sexual response in women, irregular heart beats, hypoglycemia without
symptoms and many other conditions can happen. But remember that a good diabetes control reduces the risk in up to 75%.
Skin and Oral Infections People with diabetes have a higher risk of developing skin and
oral infections. Women with diabetes develop vaginal infections often.
Detecting and treating infections on time can help avoid problems. So
every 6 months a visit to the dentist and at least a yearly visit to
the gynecologist, as well as keeping blood glucose under control, are
very important. Emergencies Very high blood glucose levels can cause dehydration and a coma.
The opposite of high blood glucose, very low blood glucose or
hypoglycemia, can also endanger the life if the brain is deprived of
its main fuel, glucose. Both situations require immediate medical
attention to preserve the life of the person. Remember that you should
always dial 911 in case of a medical emergency.
Adapted from the American Diabetes Association: Diabetes Complications
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