Diabetes mellitus type 2 is an endocrine or hormone disorder caused by the inability to utilize and store energy from food. This metabolic disorder can result in a number of complications that affect various areas of the body. Diabetes is caused by the inability of glucose or sugar in the blood to properly enter the cells of the body where it can be used and stored as energy. This normally occurs because there is a deficiency of or resistance to the insulin produced by the pancreas. The long-term complications of diabetes are linked to the damage in the blood vessels and other organs due to excess glucose in the bloodstream and can progressively worsen over time.
Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Diabetic ketoacidosis is an acute and life-threatening complication caused by the deficiency of insulin in the body, explains the Mayo Clinic. In the absence or decrease of insulin in the body, glucose begins accumulating in the blood but cannot provide energy to the body cells. As a result, other hormones such as glucagone and catecholamines are released. These stimulate the liver to produce more glucose and generate energy from the breakdown of fat, producing harmful chemicals called ketones, which cause metabolic acidosis or increased blood acidity. The increased blood glucose and ketone levels lead to increased water excretion by the kidneys resulting in severe dehydration, electrolyte imbalance and thickening of blood. The University of Illionois Medical Center notes that in some cases, ketoacidosis can cause swelling of the brain and damage to other organs.
Hyperglycemic Coma
A hyperglycemic coma is an acute complication in which insulin is present in the body but receptors on body cells are resistant to it, leading to an accumulation of glucose. This causes the release of other hormones, which drag water from body cells, leading to severe dehydration and a hyperglycemic coma, as explained by University of Maryland Medical Center. A hyperglycemic coma can lead to damage to the brain, heart, kidneys and other organs.
Diabetic Retinopathy
According to the Mayo Clinic, diabetic retinopathy is caused by damage to small blood vessels in the retina of the eye, which can lead to vision loss and blindness. In this condition the walls of the blood vessels become swollen and leaky, producing microaneurysms, macular edema or swelling, and hemorrhages or bleeding. These complications may lead to dilated veins and the formation of new blood vessels, which further damage the eye.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is an age-related vision disorder that may also be linked to diabetic complications, according to the Cleveland Clinic The formation of new blood vessels in the eye causes an increase in pressure by affecting fluid filtration out of the eye. This leads to a buildup of fluid pressure within the eye that causes optic nerve damage and loss of vision, explains Cleveland Clinic.
Diabetic Nephropathy
Diabetic nephropathy affects the small and delicate blood vessels in kidney or renal cells called nephrons. Damage to these functional renal cells due to high blood glucose levels causes them to become thick and leaky, resulting in a loss of proteins and other materials from the kidneys, explains the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Diabetic Neuropathy
A range of diabetic neuropathies, or damage to the nerves, are caused by damage to the blood vessels from high levels of glucose in the body. This impedes the flow of blood and nutrients to the nerves, causing them to become damaged and even die. The Cleveland Clinic notes that some blood vessels may become completely blocked, causing ischemia or occlusion to the nerves.
Macrovascular Complications
Type 2 diabetes increases the process of atherosclerosis and damage of macro or larger blood vessels, which leads to increased risk of heart disease; high blood pressure, or hypertension; stroke; and other peripheral vascular diseases, according to the Mayo Clinic.
