Complications of Diabetes

A major part of diabetes treatment involves the prevention of complications. Diabetes can cause serious damage to the cardiovascular system, eyes, and kidneys. The earlier the disease can be diagnosed the better because oftentimes the damage is occurring and the person isn't even aware of it.

Heart disease and stroke: Those with diabetes are at increased risk for heart disease and stroke which is the biggest cause of death for people with the disease. Diabetes can cause fatty deposits to build up in your arteries which can cause a heart attack. Diabetes can cause blood clots which can lead to heart attack and stroke. Another cause of heart attack and stroke is high blood pressure and those with diabetes are at an increased risk for that as well.

Kidney failure: This complication of diabetes affects about 100,000 people in the U.S. Kidney failure is caused by diabetes in about 40 percent of all cases diagnosed. Kidney disease and kidney failure can occur even when the disease is thought to be under control with drugs, diet and exercise.

Vision problems: The most common complications of diabetes involving vision are cataracts and glaucoma. However, diabetic retinopathy can occur which is the most serious complication. This complication, caused by high blood sugar, causes damage to the tiny blood vessels that supply blood to the retina. The vessels swell and leak liquid into the retina, causing blurred vision and sometimes blindness.

Nerve damage: A nerve disorder (diabetic neuropathy) is caused by diabetes. Some nerve damage causes pain. Other nerve damage removes the sensation of pain and causes numbness. Some people have both types of symptoms at the same time. The cause of diabetic neuropathy is unknown but having high glucose levels over a period of years is thought to play a large role.

Infections: Those with diabetes have an elevated risk of getting infections. Foot infections are common in people with diabetes. Nerve damage and poor blood circulation puts those with diabetes at a higher risk for developing infected foot ulcers. Yeast infections on the skin and urinary tract are also common.

Sexual problems: Sexual complications of diabetes are related to the nerve damage that the disease causes. Men may have a problem getting and maintaining an erection or with ejaculation. Women may have problems with vaginal lubrication.

Foot problems: Nerve damage associated with diabetes can lead to serious foot problems. The inability to feel pain may result in the patient neglecting cuts and bruises which can lead to chronic infections. The loss of feeling can also result in Charcot foot which is a condition that affects the joints in the feet. The joints are repeatedly subjected to trauma and injury, resulting in damage to the ligaments, cartilage, and bones.

The causes of long term complications of diabetes are still not fully understood. Predictions can't be made as to who will develop these complications and who will not. They are however, most likely to develop in a person who has had the disease for a long time. Knowing what they are is extremely important because they sometimes occur before before the disease is even diagnosed.

Article Source: http://www.myaddirectory.com

The author, John Richmond, has studied the complications of diabetes and has written numerous other articles about diabetes as well. To read more about the disease please go to www.YourDiabetesInfo.com

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