Diabetes is a serious disease that affects 23.6 million people in the United States. Diabetes occurs when the pancreas can no longer generate insulin, or does not produce enough insulin in order to regulate the body's function of blood sugar. If diabetes goes untreated, it can lead to serious health problems that can be life threatening.
Diabetic Neuropathy
Diabetic neuropathy is a condition that is caused directly from the nerve damage brought on by diabetes. It can cause medical side effects such as pain and numbness in the feet, legs and hands. The problem with this condition is that the decrease in sensitivity can cause a diabetic to be insensitive to pain and temperature---this can pose a health hazard when dealing with hot or sharp objects.
Diabetic Retinotherapy
Diabetic retinotherapy is a condition in which the retina in the eye becomes severely damaged. This is a direct result from high and uncontrolled blood glucose levels in the body. Diabetic retinotherapy can lead to partial or permanent blindness. The condition occurs when the high blood sugar levels begin to damage the blood vessels that attach to the retina. In many cases, this condition can be treated through laser surgery. The key is seeking medical help at the initial onset of the disease. The National Eye Institute states that 90 percent of people with diabetic retinotherapy can prevent blindness with treatment. Regular eye exams and keeping blood sugar levels under control can help prevent the disease.
Kidney Disease
Kidney disease is a life threatening condition that can affect someone with diabetes. If blood sugar levels remain over 130mg for an extended period of time, they can begin to affect the body's vascular system. The vascular system is responsible for supplying healthy blood vessels that transport blood to and from vital organs---including the kidneys. When this system is affected in any way, blood vessels can become damaged. This means that blood flow may become compromised to and from the kidneys. Over time, the kidneys become diseased. The result is protein build up in the urine, leg swelling, frequent urination and intense itching. The end effect of kidney disease is end stage renal failure, or kidney failure. Treatment for survival includes dialysis or a kidney transplant.
Heart Disease
According to the American Diabetes Association, heart disease is one of the main factors leading to death in people with diabetes. It can be caused by prolonged high levels of blood glucose flowing through the bloodstream. This generally starts off with diseased blood and heart vessels. Because the vessels are damaged, blood is unable to flow properly in and out of the heart and to the brain. Lack of blood flow can eventually lead to a heart attack. Making sure to have a hemoglobin or hgb A1c blood test and frequent blood cholesterol screenings will help your physician regulate medications.
Stroke
A stroke occurs when there is a blockage of adequate blood flow to the brain. This often occurs when there is a blood clot. It can also occur if there is an artery that is damaged and does not deliver a proper flow of blood to the brain. A stroke can cause severe and debilitating side effects such as paralysis, memory loss, coma and slurred or delayed speech.
