Proper management of diabetes can greatly lower the number of serious complications. Many Americans suffer life-threatening complications of diabetes before they even realize they have it. All adults should have their blood glucose checked according to their physician's guidelines, and people with diabetes should strive to maintain tight control of their blood sugar levels with diet and medication, if needed.
Hyperglycemia
Uncontrolled hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar, can quickly lead to coma and death. This may happen in the form of diabetic ketoacidosis, which the Mayo Clinic explains as occurring when your body has too little insulin. Blood glucose climbs because the sugar can't enter your cells to be used for energy without adequate insulin. Your cells then begin to burn fat for energy, which puts off ketones that can be found in your urine. This process is very dangerous for the body, with symptoms including confusion, thirst, excessive urination and fruity-smelling breath.
Medical-surgical Nursing reports that uncontrolled hyperglycemia can also lead to hyperglycemia hyperosmolar nonketotic syndrome (HHNS), an often deadly disorder distinguished by excessive thirst, dehydration, hallucinations and high fever but a lack of ketones. Both of these hyperglycemic conditions require emergency treatment to avoid death.
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, usually occurs when you take insulin or an oral diabetic medication but don't eat properly. According to the Mayo Clinic, low blood sugar can cause confusion, sweating, seizures and the sensation of the heart pounding in the chest. If uncorrected, unconsciousness and death can rapidly ensue.
Kidney Failure
The American Diabetes Association says high blood sugar levels can damage the kidneys over time. This causes them to not be able to get rid of waste properly, and this waste then builds up in the blood. Kidney disease from diabetes can worsen into kidney failure. This failure leads to a need for permanent kidney dialysis and an increased risk of premature death.
Lower Leg Infections
Diabetes often causes decreased ability to feel sensation in your lower legs. This problem can combine with poor diabetic circulation and difficulty healing from infection to cause serious leg and foot problems. Large, infected skin ulcers can occur on the feet, lower legs or elsewhere. Gangrene or other life-threatening infection can result, leading to amputation of the limb or death.
Heart Attack
Heart disease and potentially fatal heart attacks are strongly correlated to diabetes. According to Mayo Clinic, people with diabetes have double the risk of heart disease. This is because excessive glucose in the blood over a long period begins to cause fatty deposits on the walls of blood vessels.
Stroke
The Mayo Clinic says having diabetes doubles your risk of a stroke. This happens by the same mechanism of fatty deposits. Higher blood pressure in people with diabetes also factors into the risk of a debilitating or deadly stroke.
Other Complications
Other complications of diabetes can inadvertently or eventually lead to death, such as a fall due to blindness, a fall due to osteoporosis or a lack of nutrition due to Alzheimer's disease.
