Diabetes, high blood sugar or glucose, is caused by problems with production or use of insulin, the hormone that regulates glucose movement in and out of cells. There are two types of diabetes. Type I diabetes, or insulin dependent diabetes, usually starts in childhood or young adulthood; it is caused by a lack of insulin production and always requires insulin injections. Type II diabetes occurs in adulthood, may be associated with obesity, and can often be managed by diet or oral medications. There are many complications of diabetes; all are potentially serious.
Kidney Damage
Kidney damage is a common complication of diabetes because high levels of glucose damage the kidney's filters. Because kidneys filter out waste products and keep needed substances in the body, failure of the filters allows waste products to build up in the body; proteins are lost in the urine. High blood pressure often accompanies kidney disease in diabetics, according to Medline Plus. Kidney failure, also called renal failure, is the end result, and requires either dialysis to filter waste products out of the blood or a kidney transplant.
Vision Problems
Diabetes is a leading cause of blindness in adults. Diabetes damages the small blood vessels in the retina. The damaged vessels may leak and swell, leading to decreased vision. New abnormal blood vessels may form in the retina and bleed into the vitreous, a condition called vitreous hemorrhage. Damaged blood vessels are treated with laser or surgery. Diabetics are also 40 percent more likely to develop glaucoma, high pressure inside the eye that damages the optic nerve, than the general population, the American Diabetes Association reports.
Infection
Diabetics are probe to infection because high blood glucose is an excellent medium for bacterial growth, and neuropathy may make diabetics oblivious to injuries in numb areas. Decreased circulation also contributes to increased infection rates because less oxygen and blood cells are carried to damaged tissue. Infection can lead to amputation, particularly of toes and lower extremities. Infections need vigorous treatment with antibiotics to prevent more serious complications.
Nerve Damage
Neuropathy, or nerve damage, is a common complication of diabetes; around 50 percent of diabetics eventually develop neuropathy, Medline Plus states. Neuropathy can affect any type of nerve; common symptoms of diabetic neuropathy include trouble swallowing, impotence, numbness and tingling in the feet, drooping of the mouth or eyelids, incontinence or speech difficulties. Vomiting, diarrhea, constipation and incontinence can all be signs of neuropathy, according to the Merck Manual. Neuropathies are treated with a variety of medications, depending on the area affected.
