Diabetes can cause long term damage to our body. Such long term damage is commonly referred to as diabetic complications.
Because diabetes affects our blood vessels and nerves, it therefore can affect any part of the body although some parts of the body are more affected than others.
The effect of diabetes on the heart
Diabetes is closely related to coronary heart disease. .
Diabetes contributes to high blood pressure and is linked with high cholesterol which significantly increases the risk of heart attacks and cardiovascular disease.
Diabetes and strokes
Diabetes raises the risk of strokes.
Diabetes and the eyes
Diabetic eye disease comprises a group of eye conditions which can lead to severe vision loss and blindness.
Diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of vision loss among people with diabetes and a leading cause of blindness in working-age adults.
Retinopathy is caused by blood vessels in the back of the eye (the retina) swelling and leaking. High blood pressure is also a contributing factor for diabetic retinopathy.
Diabetic eye disease also include cataract, glaucoma and diabetic macular edema.
Effect of diabetes on the kidneys
Diabetic nephropathy is the term for kidney disease as a result of diabetes.
High levels of blood glucose make the kidneys filter too much blood. All this extra work is hard on the filters. After many years, they start to leak useful protein into the urine. In time the stress of overwork causes the kidneys to lose their filtering ability leading to kidney failure.
Diabetes and its effects on the nerves
Diabetic neuropathy is the name for nerve damage caused by diabetes. Damage to the nerves can lead to loss of feeling in extremities such as the hands and the lower legs.
Neuropathy is understood to be present in up to 50% of people with diabetes.
Never damage in the feet is particularly dangerous as it puts diabetic people at a higher risk of foot damage which can lead to amputation. The effect of diabetes on the feet is often referred to as diabetic foot.
Neuropathy is understood to be present in up to 50% of people with diabetes.
Never damage in the feet is particularly dangerous as it puts diabetic people at a higher risk of foot damage which can lead to amputation. The effect of diabetes on the feet is often referred to as diabetic foot.
Diabetes and its effect on the digestive system
The vagus nerve controls the movement of food through the digestive tract. If the vagus nerve is damaged or stops working, the muscles of the stomach and intestines do not work normally, and the movement of food is slowed or stopped.
This disorder is called gastroparesis.
This disorder is called gastroparesis.
Gastroparesis can make diabetes worse by making it difficult to manage blood glucose. When food that has been delayed in the stomach finally enters the small intestines and is absorbed, blood glucose levels rise.
If food stays too long in the stomach, it can cause bacterial overgrowth because the food has been fermented. Also the food can harden into solid masses called bezoars that may cause nausea, vomiting and obstruction in the stomach. Bezoars can be dangerous if they block the passage of food into the small intestines.
If food stays too long in the stomach, it can cause bacterial overgrowth because the food has been fermented. Also the food can harden into solid masses called bezoars that may cause nausea, vomiting and obstruction in the stomach. Bezoars can be dangerous if they block the passage of food into the small intestines.
How diabetes affects the skin
Diabetes affect on the skin is usually a result of its affect on the nerves and circulation which can lead to dry skin, slow healing of cuts, burns and wounds, fungal and bacterial infections and loss of feeling in the foot.
People with diabetes are recommended to have their feet checked at least once a year.
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