Diabetes is a disease that affects every system in the body. Because of this, a diabetic can experience any number of complications anywhere in their body. Here are four of the more common complications that diabetics are at risk for.
Kidney Issues
According to the National Kidney Foundation, diabetics with uncontrolled diabetes can experience damage to blood vessels. When the blood vessels in the kidneys become damaged, this prevents the kidneys from cleaning the blood thoroughly. This leads to other problems, such as weight gain, ankle-swelling, bladder infections, and protein in the urine.
Eye Troubles
There is a group of conditions known as diabetic eye disease. This includes the following: diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic macular edema. While these conditions can also occur outside of diabetes, having diabetes, particularly uncontrolled diabetes, increases a person’s risk of developing these eye conditions. These diabetic conditions all usually begin with damaged blood vessels behind the eyes.
Diabetes can also cause the growth of new, weaker blood vessels that can bleed. Left untreated, significant vision loss can occur and possibly become permanent. According to Retina Care Consultants, the most common cause for vision loss in diabetics is diabetic retinopathy, characterized by damage to the retina and its blood supply. Diabetics are encouraged to get regular check-ups from specialists to catch these eye diseases before they get out of hand.
Extreme Fatigue
Battling extreme fatigue is a common occurrence for diabetics. This is due to the fact that their cells have trouble with processing glucose, which is what gives the body energy. In some cases, their bodies may not make enough glucose, which is why they need insulin. No matter which issue the person has, the outcome is the same: chronic fatigue. Talk to your doctor if feelings of fatigue are stopping you from doing the things you need or want to do.
Numbness and/or Tingling
Ames Walker says that diabetics can have trouble with a condition called diabetic neuropathy. This is essentially nerve damage that can cause numbness or tingling sensations. These sensations, or lack thereof, usually occur in arms, hands, legs, and feet. Sometimes, they can be as extreme as sharp pains or pain from a simple touch.
Diabetes is a complex disease that can affect many functions in the body. That’s why it’s important to keep your blood sugar under control. By keeping a close watch on your blood sugar, you can reduce or even eliminate your chances of experiencing these problems.
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