Type 2 diabetes is a disease that involves the beta cells of the pancreas. These cells normally produce insulin, which normally causes the liver, muscle, and fat tissues to take up glucose (sugar). In diabetes, insulin production may be defective and insulin resistance is seen in the liver, muscle, and fat tissue. Medical therapy is aimed at correcting insulin insufficiency and keep sugar levels in normal range. It is important to keep all appointments with your physician and be monitored appropriately. Sugar levels that are not properly controlled can cause many complications in the body including eye complications, nerve damage, infections, and kidney damage.
Retinopathy
Retinopathy is damage to the retina of eyes. Two types of retinopathy exist: non-proliferative and proliferative. Non-proliferative retinopathy occurs when blood vessels in the back of the eye swell up and form pouches. This swelling may block the passage of substances between the blood and retina. Fluid may leak into an area of the eye called the macula, which is where focusing takes place. The vision may become blurry and, eventually this may lead to vision loss. Usually, this can be reversed with treatment. Proliferative retinopathy can progress over several years and lead to damage of the blood vessels. These blood vessels will close off and new blood vessels will begin to form in the retina. Since the newly-formed blood vessels are weak, blood may leak into the eye causing vision block. Proliferative retinopathy has no symptoms. It is important to have your blood sugar under control and to visit an optometrist or ophthalmologist trained in diabetic eye disease regularly.
Neuropathy
Neuropathy is nerve damage which can be painful but may also cause numbness. It usually affects the lower legs and feet more than other body parts. This may be dangerous because you may not feel if something is in your shoe and walk on it. Furthermore, the nerves that moisturize the skin no longer function; this could lead to blisters, calluses, and breaks in the skin. You may not feel any pain and fail to realize you have an opening in the skin. This can lead to a foot infection, which if untreated, can lead to serious foot ulcer. In some cases, nothing can be done to repair the damage from an infection and an amputation is necessary. Always keep all appointment with your physician and get your feet examined regularly. Also, examine your feet for any breaks, dry skin, or bleeding wounds.
Nephropathy
Nephropathy, or kidney damage, is the biggest contributor to end-stage renal disease (ESRD), states "Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiologic Approach." In a normal kidney, the blood vessels act as filters allowing waste to pass through and enter urine. The filter system does not allow proteins or red blood cells to go through and these will remain in the body. This filtration system is damaged in individuals with diabetes. Treatment may be given when kidney disease is diagnosed early on; however, if the disease becomes worse, the kidneys lose any ability to filter the blood and this progresses to ESRD. "Glucose and blood pressure control are most important for the prevention of nephropathy, and blood pressure control is the most important for retarding the progression of established nephropathy," reports "Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiologic Approach."
References
- "Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiologic Approach"; Joseph T. DiPiro, Rovert L. Talbert, et al; 2008
- American Diabetes Association: Complications
