Complications of Diabetes
There are many possible complications of diabetes including associated heart disease, stroke, diabetic neuropathies, diabetic retinopathy, erectile dysfunction, hypoglycemia, kidney disease of diabetes, kidney failure, sexual and urological problems associated with diabetes and stomach nerve damage.
When you have diabetes or even pre-diabetes you are at increased risk for heart disease and stroke. These risks can be reduced by carefully monitoring your blood glucose, your blood pressure, and your blood cholesterol levels so that they are close to the recommended target numbers. You can prevent narrowing or blockage of your blood vessels in your legs, which is a condition that is called peripheral arterial disease by choosing your foods carefully, being physically active each day and also by taking all medications that are prescribed for you by your doctor. Those who are diabetic and have already had a heart attack or stroke need to take especially good care of them in order to prevent future problems.
Diabetic neuropathies are nerve disorders that are caused by diabetes. Those who have diabetes can over time, develop nerve damage in all parts of their body. You may have nerve damage and not realize any symptoms of it, or you may experience tingling, or numbness or a loss of feeling in your hands, arms, and feet or in your legs. You can experience nerve problems in every organ of your body, including the digestive tract, your heart, and also your reproductive organs.
Diabetes can also damage your vision if your glucose levels remain high which can lead to blindness. Those who have diabetes should see an eye doctor on a regular basis in order to catch eye problems early when they can be corrected. If you are pregnant it is very important to have an eye exam during your first 3 months of pregnancy. It will decrease your odds of vision problems if you quit smoking if you currently smoke.
Males who are diabetic can have problems with sexual intercourse because diabetes can cause nerve damage to all organs including the male sexual organ, which may have an impact on the ability to achieve or maintain an erection.
Individuals with diabetes are more vulnerable to nerve and vascular damage as a result of losing sensation in the feet due to poor circulation, and also because of infections and wounds that heal poorly of the feet when circulation is poor.
Hypoglycemia is a common problem of diabetics and is when the blood glucose level is 70 or below. The level of glucose in the blood is too low to provide enough energy for what your body needs for basic functions.
These are just some of the more common complications of diabetes. In order to prevent these complications those who have diabetes need to have a strong repoire with their medical team of doctors so that they will have good communications between them and the team. It is important to report any change in condition or symptoms and to follow all medical advice including taking all prescriptions as instructed.
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