Complications
Without proper treatment and management, diabetes and elevated levels of blood-glucose (hyperglycemia) can damage the body's organs and lead to some potentially serious complications. These complications often develop gradually over time. Maintaining a healthy blood-glucose level can help delay the onset of these complications:
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Cardiovascular disease
Hyperglycemia can damage the arteries and cause them to become clogged over time, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke. Hyperglycemia can also damage the small vessels in the legs, feet, hands, and arms, causing circulation problems which can lead to slow healing of wounds and an increased risk of infection.
Kidney disease
Hyperglycemia can damage the small blood vessels in the kidneys that are responsible for filtering waste from the blood, which can eventually lead to kidney failure and the need for dialysis.
Neuropathy (nerve disease)
Hyperglycemia can damage nerves throughout the body, as well as the small blood vessels (capillaries) that supply the nerves with blood. This nerve damage can lead to numbness, tingling, and burning in the legs, feet, hands, and arms, as well as problems with bowel/bladder function, erectile dysfunction, and other complications. In addition, patients may have “silent” heart attacks as they do not have the typical symptoms of chest pain due to loss of nerve function in the heart. This nerve damage along with the circulation problems described above can lead to severe wounds and slow-healing infections in the extremities. In extreme cases, amputation may be necessary.
Periodontal disease
High levels of glucose in the saliva can cause more bacteria to grow and more plaque to form in the mouth. Plaque is a harmful substance that causes tooth decay and gum disease. Thus, type 2 diabetes can increase the risk of developing gum disease and infections, which may be slow to heal.
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Eye disease
Hyperglycemia can damage the small blood vessels in the eyes and can lead to vision loss and blindness over time. Glaucoma and cataracts are also much more common in diabetics.
