Diabetes Complications and
Related Concerns
Heart Disease
People with diabetes have extra reason to be mindful of heart and blood vessel
disease. Diabetes carries an increased risk for heart attack, stroke, and
complications related to poor circulation.
Eye Care And Retinopathy
Diabetes can cause eye problems and may lead to blindness. People with
diabetes do have a higher risk of blindness than people without diabetes.
Early detection and treatment of eye problems can save your sight.
Kidney Disease/Kidney Transplantation
Diabetes can damage the kidneys, which not only can cause them to fail, but
can also make them lose their ability to filter out waste products.
Neuropathy
And Nerve Damage
One of the most common complications of diabetes is diabetic neuropathy.
Neuropathy means damage to the nerves that run throughout the body, connecting
the spinal cord to muscles, skin, blood vessels, and other organs.
Skin Care
As many as one-third of people with diabetes will have a skin disorder caused
or affected by diabetes at some time in their lives. In fact, such problems
are sometimes the first sign that a person has diabetes. Luckily, most skin
conditions can be prevented or easily treated if caught early.
Foot Care
People with diabetes can develop many different foot problems. Foot problems
most often happen when there is nerve damage in the feet or when blood flow is
poor. Learn how to protect your feet by following some basic guidelines.
Oral Health
If you have diabetes, you are at a higher risk for gum disease and other
mouth-related problems. Learn more about maintaining good dental health.
Transplantation
Diabetes sometimes damages kidneys so badly that they no longer work. When
kidneys fail, one option is a kidney transplant. There are also pancreas
transplants, as well as islet cell transplants.
Coping With
Complications
Whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, you may someday face one or more
diabetes complications. Complications are medical problems that occur more
often in people with diabetes.
Smoking
Kicking the smoking habit is hard, but worth the work. Tobacco has many bad
health effects, particularly for people with diabetes. No matter how long
you've smoked, your health will improve when you quit.
