Diabetes Complications
Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in the US with over
62,000 deaths every year. Most of these deaths are from
increased heart disease.
Diabetes can result in complications or damage to nearly every system in
the body. If you strictly control your diabetes you can reduce and
nearly eliminate the chance of developing the complications.
- EYES - Diabetes will affect the eyes and vision. The result
can lead to blindness. If you have diabetes your family doctor will
check your eyes routinely but you must see a Ophthalmologist once a year
for a dilated eye exam.
- Kidneys - Diabetes will damage the kidneys. This can be
detected early by a urine microalbumin test. If it is not detected and
prevented it can lead to kidney failure. About 20% of people with
diabetes will have kidney problems. If untreated it will result in need
for dialysis.
- Heart Disease - Diabetes greatly increases the chance of a
heart attack and stroke, up to 2 - 4 times greater than in people
without diabetes.
- Nerve Damage - Neuropathy or nerve damage is another common
and painful result of untreated diabetes.
- Foot Problems - Uncontrolled diabetes will cause damage to
the feet resulting in ulcers or sores of the feet that can not heal.
- Stomach and intestines - Diabetes can cause gastroparesis, a
condition where the stomach does not empty as it should.
The damage from these complications can be prevented or greatly reduced
if the diabetes is appropriately controlled.