What are the complications of diabetes?
Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus can lead to several health complications. If you have been diagnosed with this condition and fail to manage it properly, you become susceptible to various medical problems. Here, we listed eight known diabetes complications. Learn more about these diseases and understand how you can prevent them from happening.
Heart attack or stroke
One of the widely known complications of diabetes is a heart attack or stroke. High blood sugar for a longer period can damage the blood vessels. Its symptoms include numbness in the face or arms, trouble speaking, weakness on one side of the body, and vision problems.
Diabetic neuropathy
Aside from the blood vessels, the nerves are also susceptible to impairment if diabetes is not managed properly. Diabetic neuropathy is one of the many type 2 diabetes complications where high blood glucose levels injure the nerves throughout the body. It mostly affects the legs and feet. Its symptoms are the inability to feel pain, burning sensation, sharp cramps, severe foot problems, and muscle weakness.
Diabetic retinopathy
This disease is one of the microvascular diabetes complications that affect the eyes. Too much sugar in the blood can lead to a blockage in the tiny blood vessels that nourish the retina. The symptoms of diabetic retinopathy are blurry vision, fluctuating eyesight, spots or the appearance of floaters.
Diabetic nephropathy
Diabetic nephropathy is a severe complication that people with type 1 and 2 diabetes often experience. It is also known as diabetic kidney disease. This condition affects the kidney’s ability to remove waste products and excess fluid from the body. It can also progress to kidney failure if immediate treatment is absent. Its symptoms include swelling in some body parts, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting.
Erectile dysfunction
One of the most significant contributors to erectile dysfunction is diabetes. Men with uncontrolled blood sugar levels are susceptible to damage their blood vessels and nerves. In return, it reduces blood flow to the penis, making it impossible to keep and maintain an erection during sexual activity.
Foot problems or amputation
Doctors always recommend people with diabetes to keep their feet clean and wear socks regularly. When diabetes is uncontrolled, it can impair the nerves. This process lessens a person’s sensitivity to pain, especially in their feet. A single wound or cut in their feet can become a big problem.
Skin problems
Skin conditions are common in people with unmanaged blood glucose levels. This state is enough for bacteria and fungi to thrive in the skin and trigger different dermal conditions. Fortunately, treatment is available to resolve this concern immediately. However, a more serious medical condition can happen if one fails to administer the treatment.
Oral disease
Because of diabetes, a high amount of sugar can thrive in the saliva. This helps harmful bacteria grow inside the mouth. Such a process enables the development of plaque, gum disease, and bad breath. Other oral diseases like tooth decay and cavities can also happen.
Takeaway
Preventing these conditions is possible by managing diabetes correctly. It includes observing diabetes treatment, like insulin injections and oral medications. Aside from that, regular exercise and a healthy diet are also factors that can help you live with the condition without worrying about experiencing any of the mentioned diabetes complications.
