Diabetes begins when the pancreas cannot make enough insulin to transport glucose to the cells, or when cells in body fat, the liver, and muscles cannot use insulin correctly, notes the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Diabetes is a disease that often impacts overall health. It can cause many different kinds of health complications. Uncontrolled blood sugar levels will increase the risk that diabetes will cause health complications.
Heart Disease
Having diabetes doubles the normal risk of heart disease, notes the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Diabetes is also linked to having cardiac disease at an earlier age than normal. Also, diabetes increases the risk of a fatal heart attack. This is due to the buildup of fat inside the blood vessels that are caused by the high glucose levels associated with diabetes.
Vision Problems
Loss of vision is a common complication of diabetes, notes the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. High glucose levels can damage the blood vessels in the eyes and cause them to get blocked and to swell, and become weak. Diabetic retinopathy, which impacts the retina of the eye, often causes a gradual change in function of the eyes. Symptoms of this disorder include blurry eyesight, unexpected loss of vision in one or both eyes and flashes or black spots in the vision field, notes the Federal Citizen Information Center.
Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction is a typical problem that occurs with diabetes. High glucose levels in the body will damage the nerves and blood flow in the penis, which will impede the ability to get an erection, notes the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Maintaining a healthy diet and exercising will help minimize this possible complication of diabetes.
Amputation
A foot of leg amputation is a common complication of diabetes, especially among patients who did not know they had diabetes until problems started with the legs or feet. Diabetes limits blood flow in the legs due to blood vessel damage. Diabetes also causes damage to the nerves in the feet and legs, which is called peripheral neuropathy. This disorder may cause sores that fester because nerve damage dulls the sensation of pain, so the sore is not noticed; if the sore becomes infected and does not heal it can lead to an amputation, notes the Federal Citizen Information Center.
Stroke
A stroke is also a common complication of diabetes, notes the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Diabetes causes fat blockages in blood vessels that increase the risk of stroke. Stokes also often occur at earlier ages in patients with diabetes than in those who do not have this disease.
