Diabetes complications occur because of the effects of chronically elevated blood sugar (glucose) levels on the body. The consequences of uncontrolled diabetes can affect all organ systems, from the skin to the heart to the sexual organs. Controlling your blood sugar as part of your overall diabetes treatment plan is the most important thing you can do to prevent diabetes complications.
Chronic Kidney Disease and Kidney Failure
Diabetes can cause chronic kidney disease and kidney failure. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) reports diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure among Americans. The high blood glucose levels that occur with uncontrolled diabetes increase the risk of diabetic kidney disease. Conversely, intensive glucose management--keeping your blood sugar level as close to normal as possible--can reduce the risk of developing diabetic kidney disease.
Heart Disease
According to NIDDK, people with diabetes have twice the risk of developing heart disease compared to people without diabetes. Chronically elevated blood glucose levels may cause plaque formation in the arteries that supply the heart with oxygen and nutrients. The deposition of plaques can block blood flow through the arteries--a condition called atherosclerosis. Controlling blood glucose levels, eating a healthy diet, not smoking, and enjoying regular physical activity can decrease your risk of heart disease.
Peripheral Arterial Disease
The same process that causes atherosclerosis in the blood vessels of the heart can also occur in the arteries that supply the extremities. Persistently high blood glucose levels increase the risk of this condition, which is called peripheral arterial disease, or PAD. PAD most commonly causes symptoms in the legs. Partially blocked arteries cannot supply the leg muscles with the oxygen they require during physical activity, which causes pain. In severe cases, walking is limited because of pain. Good blood glucose management along with adhering to the other aspects of your diabetes management program helps decrease your risk for PAD.
Neuropathy
Long-standing diabetes often causes nerve disorders, which are called diabetic neuropathies. NIDDK states 60 to 70 percent of people with diabetes develop some form of diabetic neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy affects the nerves in the extremities, especially the hands and feet. Symptoms include abnormal sensations such as tingling, burning, numbness or complete loss of feeling. Autonomic neuropathies affect the organs and cause abnormalities such as slowed stomach emptying and constipation, incomplete bladder emptying and decreased sexual response. Maintaining good control over your blood glucose can reduce your risk of developing diabetic neuropathy.
Eye Problems
People with diabetes are at substantially increased risk for serious eye problems that may threaten their vision, including retinopathy, glaucoma and cataracts. Chronically high blood sugar levels increase the degree of risk for development of these eye disorders. Retinopathy is the most common of the vision-threatening eye diseases that develop in diabetics. With this disorder, the blood vessels that supply the nerve tissue in the eyes (the retinas) are diseased. They leak, bleed and become blocked; the retina is consequently damaged. Uncontrolled diabetic retinopathy may cause partial loss of vision or blindness. People with diabetes are also at greatly increased risk for cataracts and glaucoma compared to non-diabetics. Controlling your blood glucose and regular eye care can help decrease your risk of diabetes-related eye problems.
References
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Kidney Disease of Diabetes
- American Diabetes Association: Kidney Disease (Nephropathy)
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Diabetes, Heart Disease and Stroke
- American Diabetes Association: ABCs of Heart Disease
- American Diabetes Association: Peripheral Arterial Disease
