People with diabetes are vulnerable to a variety of complications over time. Maintaining blood glucose levels within the normal range and leading a healthy lifestyle is a cornerstone of diabetes care to reduce the risk of serious complications associated with the condition. Here are some of the long-term complications of diabetes:
Table of Contents
EYES
- Diabetes can cause vision loss and blindness.
- Diabetic retinopathy is a deterioration of the small blood vessels of the retina.
- People with diabetes have a greater chance of getting cataracts and glaucoma.
KIDNEYS
- Kidney filtering becomes less efficient, and protein leaks into the urine.
- In the long-term, it leads to kidney failure, which requires dialysis or a kidney transplant
HEART & BLOOD VESSELS
- Blood vessel walls become hard and non-elastic. This tends to occur at an earlier age in people with diabetes.
- Atherosclerotic plaque builds up.
- Higher risk of heart disease and stroke.
NERVES
- Contain high blood glucose damages the nerves, resulting in loss of sensation or pain.
- Diabetic neuropathy can affect nerves in many different parts of the body.
- The symptoms depend on the affected areas. It can cause pain in the legs and arms; nausea and problems with digestion; going to the bathroom or having sex.
FEET
- Poor blood flow in the feet and nerve damage increase the risk of developing foot problems and amputations.
- Due to loss of sensation, you can develop a sore or blister without realising it.
GUMS & TEETH
- Likely to have increase in cavities and to develop gum disease.
- Signs of gum disease include bleeding, sensitive and painful gums.
SKIN
- People with diabetes are more prone to skin problems than people who do not have diabetes.
- The nerve damage associated with diabetes can cause a decrease in sweating, resulting in dry skin.