Diabetes Complications - Health Complications for Diabetics
Diabetes can lead to many different long-term health problems if the disease is left untreated.
A high amount of glucose in the blood, or even slightly raised blood glucose over a prolonged period, can cause damage to the blood vessels, nerves and organs in your body, which can lead to a number of complications.
Cardiovascular disease
Cardiovascular disease is the term used to cover all diseases that affect the heart and circulatory system, including coronary heart disease, heart attack, angina and stroke. It is the most common cause of death in the UK.
Diabetes, whether type 1 or type 2 diabetes, increases your risk of developing one of these severe complications. Poorly managed blood glucose levels over a long period can cause your coronary arteries to narrow (atherosclerosis). This makes it harder for the artery to carry blood and oxygen through to your heart muscle and cause a pain or discomfort in your chest (angina).
In severe cases, atherosclerosis can cause a heart attack of stroke as the coronary artery or an artery in the neck may become blocked, stopping the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart and/or part of the brain.
Nerve damage
High levels of glucose in your blood can damage the small blood vessels of your nerves, which can lead to a tingling or burning pain throughout your limbs. You may also experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation if the nerves in your digestive system are affected.
Kidney disease
Chronic (long-term) conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure (hypertension) are the most common cause of kidney disease - a long-term condition where the kidneys progressively lose their function.
High blood glucose can cause the small blood vessels of your kidneys to become blocked and leaky, causing them to lose some of their functioning capability. In rare, severe cases, they kidneys may stop working altogether (kidney failure) and a kidney transplant may be required.
Diabetic retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is an eye condition which affects most people who have had diabetes for 10 years or more. This common complication of diabetes is caused when the small blood vessels in the retina of your eye become damaged as a result of prolonged, high blood glucose levels. If left untreated, it can affect your vision and may eventually cause blindness – (diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in adults under the age of 65).
There are no symptoms of diabetic retinopathy, which is why people with diabetes are usually advised to have their eyes checked by a specialist (an ophthalmologist or an optometrist) at least once a year. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent severe vision loss.
Foot problems
People who have diabetes you are more likely to develop foot problems such as foot ulcers, which can cause serious infection. Foot ulcers develop from small cuts, grazes or blisters that go unnoticed because of damage to the nerves of the foot. To help prevent this, diabetics are advised to check and wash their feet every day, keep their toenails short and wear comfortable shoes. An annual foot examination is also recommended.
If you have diabetes and have a sore or cut that isn’t healing or spot swelling around your foot, you should contact your local GP, nurse or podiatrist.
Miscarriage and stillbirth
If you are pregnant and have diabetes you have an increased risk of miscarriage and stillbirth. It is vital your blood glucose level is carefully controlled in the early stages of pregnancy otherwise you may also increase the chances of the baby developing a serious birth defect.
Pregnant women with diabetes usually have their antenatal check-ups in hospital or in a diabetic clinic, where doctors can keep a close eye on their blood sugar levels and control their insulin dosage more easily.
Sexual dysfunction
Sexual dysfunction is common in both mean and women with diabetes. Damage to the nerves and blood vessels in men with diabetes can lead to erection problems (erectile dysfunction), especially for those who smoke. These problems can be treated with certain medication.
The most common sexual dysfunction in women with diabetes is decreased sexual arousal and inadequate lubrication (vaginal dryness). Diabetes may also reduce a woman’s sex drive and cause pain on intercourse.
Problems such as a lack of vaginal lubrication or painful sex may be temporarily eased with vaginal lubricants and moisturisers. A wide selection of water or petroleum-based lubricants is available without prescription.
