Diabetes mellitus costs the U.S. more than $174 billion in direct and indirect costs, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). With more than 7.8 percent of the U.S. population affected, this manageable disease is a major health concern. Preventative care programs help reduce the impact of the long-term complications and burden of disease associated with diabetes. Complications due to diabetes include premature death and disability.
Heart Disease
The most deadly complication of diabetes is heart disease. Both men and women with diabetes are at a significantly higher risk for heart disease. Along with diabetes, advanced age, elevated blood pressure, excess blood cholesterol, tobacco use and family medical background are risk factors for heart disease. Recommendations for preventing heart disease: aggressive control of glucose levels, monitoring cholesterol and reducing controllable risk factors (smoking and blood pressure). The American Diabetes Association stresses the importance of blood pressure control. A reduction in blood pressure alone can reduce the risk of heart disease by 50 percent according to the CDC.
Peripheral vascular Disease
Chronically poor circulation to the lower extremities is known as peripheral vascular disease. Patients experience sharp shooting pains up their legs that worsen when patients exercise or walk. This is called called claudication. Patients with these symptoms experience increased risks for other complications including amputation secondary to infection. Diabetes is the top cause of amputations not caused by trauma, reports the Cleveland Clinic.
Eye
The leading cause of new onset blindness in adulthood is diabetes. Diabetics are 25 times more likely to become blind than non-diabetics. Diabetes causes damage to the inside lining of the eye (retinopathy) and lens blurring (cataracts), and increases eye pressure (glaucoma). Damage to the eye causes alarming visual changes in the later stages of uncontrolled diabetes. In addition to controlling blood glucose, the recommended prevention measures are control of blood pressure and yearly eye exams.
Nerve Damage
More than half of diabetic patients will develop neuropathy. Tingling of the fingers and toes are the most characteristic feature of peripheral nerve damage (neuropathy). Burning and numbness are also indicators of neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy indicates poor circulation and the interference of glucose with nerve signaling. This decreases the patient's ability to detect damage, increasing the risk of infection to the limb, which may invariably lead to amputation. Preventive care mechanisms are to control glucose, maintain strict foot hygiene with daily inspections and other foot precautions. Patients with injuries to feet or hands should visit their family physician or endocrinologist.
Autonomic nerve damage may occur in any of the major body systems. Autonomic damage may cause low blood pressure, decreased appetite, impotence and renal disease, the latter being the most worrisome. Diabetes is the leading cause of end stage renal disease. When kidney damage is suspected, special prevention measures for monitoring the progression of disease are put in place.
