Diabetes is a chronic and incurable disease that arises when the body does not produce enough or any insulin or when the body cannot effectively use insulin. The International Diabetes Federation warns that the global prevalence of diabetes is increasing and currently accounts for almost 4 million deaths every year. Diabetes affects blood sugar, or glucose, levels in the body. High blood glucose levels, or hyperglycemia, can occur due to diabetes. Hyperglycemia can cause complications that affect all the major organ systems in the body. Controlling blood sugar levels is key to preventing diabetic complications.
Cardiovascular Complications
Chronic high blood sugar levels can increase the risk of cardiovascular, or heart and blood vessel, problems. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases indicates that these complications include coronary artery disease; angina, or chest pain; heart attack; stroke; high blood pressure; and atherosclerosis, or narrowing and hardening of the arteries. According to the Mayo Clinic, the risk of a stroke doubles in diabetic patients owing to high blood pressure.
Nerve Damage
Nerve damage, or neuropathy, is another complication in diabetic patients and occurs because high blood glucose can damage the walls of capillaries, which are small blood vessels, over time. The Mayo Clinic explains that this damage decreases the flow of nutrients to the nerves, causing symptoms such as numbness, tingling and pain. Nerve damage is most common in the feet and legs but can also occur in the fingers and arms and other areas of the body. High blood glucose levels can also damage nerves in internal organs. Nerve damage in the feet can lead to severe foot complications, including infections and cell damage that may require toe or foot amputation.
Decreased Immune Function
The Mayo Clinic notes that high, uncontrolled levels of blood sugar can decrease the functioning of the immune system, making the body more susceptible to infections and illnesses. For this reason, diabetic individuals are at higher risk of bacterial and fungal skin infections, gum infections, pneumonia and other bacterial illnesses.
Vision Problems
High blood glucose levels are the leading cause of blindness in adults, and compared with individuals without diabetes, patients with the disease are more likely to lose their vision. The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals explains that high blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels in the retina, a part of the eye that is critical for vision. This damage results in diabetic retinopathy, a disease that can lead to blindness. Other vision problems in diabetic patients are cataracts and glaucoma.
