When you have diabetes for many years, you can develop a host of long-term complications that impact your quality of life. Working with your doctor to maintain good control of your diabetes is important, and you should be monitored regularly for development of related issues. You can prevent complications of type 1 diabetes by maintaing good glucose control through insulin thereapy and keeping your blood pressure and cholesterol within normal limits. It's also important to maintain proper nutrition and exercise and to engage in healthy habits.
Retinopathy and Other Eye Complications
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) reports that the longer you have diabetes, the more you are at risk for developing retinopathy of the eye. Retinopathy is the most common complication of diabetes. In addition, persons with diabetes are 40 percent more likely to develop glaucoma and 60 percent more likely to develop cataracts. Getting regular eye exams is important. Maintaining good control of your blood sugar can help prevent this complication.
Feet
Some diabetics develop nerve damage in the feet called neuropathy. You can be in pain, or have numbness, which can result in other problems, like injury. Foot ulcers can develop because of poor circulation or ill-fitting shoes. Bad circulation can lead to slow wound healing, and therefore make you more prone to infections. It is important to check your feet daily if you are a diabetic, and get proper foot care from a podiatrist if necessary.
Skin Infections
With diabetes, you are more at risk for having skin infections. These include bacterial infections and fungal infections. Examples of bacterial infections include folliculitis and boils. Fungal infections or yeast infections can occur in areas such as the groin, underarm or underneath breasts. Good skin care, good hygiene and maintaining your blood sugar level will help prevent skin problems.
Heart Complications and Peripheral Arterial Disease
Diabetes puts you at a higher risk for heart attacks and stroke. Peripheral arterial disease is when you develop fatty deposits on your blood vessels. The ADA estimates 1 out of every 3 people with diabetes over the age of 50 have this condition. Diabetics are also at risk for developing high blood pressure or hypertension. Moderate exercise (if authorized by your doctor), not smoking, limiting alcohol intake and following a healthy diet low in sodium can help prevent heart problems
Other Neuropathy
Neuropathy in diabetics happens when the walls of your blood vessels are injured because of too much glucose. This can affect the legs, and different organ systems such as your bowels and urinary system. According to the ADA, neuropathy leads to decrease in sensation, mobility and poor functioning of the area affected. An example is gastroparesis, which leads to food is not being digested efficiently, or slow emptying of the bowels.
Diabetic Nephropathy
High blood sugar makes the kidney filter a larger amount of blood, resulting in a problem with filtration of protein. Eventually, your kidney function can deteriorate into renal disease and then kidney failure. Keeping your blood pressure and condition under control are important measures to help prevent kidney disease.
