More than 23 million people in the U.S. have diabetes, a metabolic disorder. Diabetics produce too little insulin or do not process the glucose properly. The result is a build-up of glucose that passes out of the body via urine. Without glucose, the body's main source of fuel, systems throughout the body function improperly. Treatment for diabetes generally includes exercise, proper weight maintenance, healthy eating and, often, medication. Complications from diabetes range from mild to severe.
Seizures and Coma
The short-term complications for diabetes include high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and increased ketones, a toxic acid. All of these conditions require immediate care. Without treatment, they cause seizures, coma and unconsciousness.
Kidney Damage
Diabetes may cause damage to the glomeruli, tiny blood vessels that filter waster out of your blood. Long-term, severe damage leads to kidney failure or kidney disease which in turn may require dialysis or a kidney transplant.
Cardiovascular Disease
Living with diabetes means you are at increased risk of a stroke or heart disease, and at an earlier age than people without diabetes. Your face the possibility of coronary artery disease, heart attack or narrowing of the arteries.
Neuropathy
Nerve damage, caused by excess sugar, causes numbness, burning, pain or tingling, often starting in the toes or fingers. Over time, this expands and may eventually cause the loss of all feeling in your extremities, especially your legs. Nerve damage may also affect digestion, and in men, erectile dysfunction issues.
Foot Problems
Foot complications, caused by nerve damage and poor blood circulation, may become severe if not treated promptly. Small ailments such as blisters or cuts can become major problems, potentially leading to amputation.
Skin Conditions
Itching, bacterial infections and fungal infections are possible complications from diabetes. Similarly, gum infections may occur, especially for diabetics without good dental hygiene.
Eye Problems
Individuals with diabetes potentially face the risk of eye problems, including nonproliferative retinopathy, where capillaries in the back of the eye become blocked, and proliferative retinopathy, causing hemorrhaging and scarring, with the end result being possible retinal detachment.
