Complications of Diabetes - Endocrine Metabolic Medical Center

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What are the complications of diabetes?

When diabetes is poorly controlled, it can lead to chronic complications. Consistently elevated blood sugars can have destructive effects, but complications can be avoided with proper attention to blood glucose. People with diabetes can prevent, delay, and even reverse complications by maintaining excellent blood glucose control. It is important to be aware of the possible complications, know the symptoms, and take preventative measures.

Coronary Heart Disease

People with diabetes tend to have higher amounts of fats in their blood. Researchers have found that heart attack is a chief cause of death in people whose diabetes developed after age 30. Heart disease involves the build-up of plaque deposits in the blood vessels (atherosclerosis) that can lead to angina, heart attack and heart failure. Research shows that people with diabetes are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease.

Retinopathy (Blindness)

Your eyes are very vulnerable to the effects of diabetes. Many people experience blurred vision in the early stages of diabetes. The most serious eye problem that can occur with diabetes is damage to the retina, the thin, light-sensitive lining in the back of your eye. This damage occurs to small blood vessels in the retina, which are easily harmed by high blood glucose levels. Fortunately, complete blindness is rare if retinopathy is diagnosed early and treated promptly.

Nephropathy (Kidney Failure)

Over a period of time, high blood glucose damages the waste filtering systems in the kidneys, hindering their ability to pass waste out through the urine. Once this damage begins to occur, it can't be repaired. However, screening tests and medical treatment can slow the damage and prevent end-stage renal failure that requires kidney transplant or dialysis.

Peripheral Vascular Disease

Peripheral vascular disease is impaired circulation that can, if left unchecked, lead to gangrene, non-healing foot wounds and amputation. It is caused by the build-up of cholesterol in the blood vessels of the lower extremities.

Neuropathy: Peripheral and Autonomic

Peripheral neuropathy is damage to the nerves that control sensation in the body. Autonomic neuropathy is damage to the nerves that control various organs. Your nerves can be damaged by chronic high blood glucose. Nerve damage (neuropathy) is a condition that strikes in many forms and can be very painful and debilitating. There are two main types of neuropathy, each affecting different types of nerve cells. One type is called peripheral neuropathy, which affects the nerves that control sensation in the body. The other type is autonomic neuropathy, which affects nerves that control various organs, such as your stomach or urinary tract. Good blood glucose control will help protect you from nerve damage.

Skin Problems

Poorly controlled diabetes can lead to skin problems, such as: excessively dry skin due to dehydration from high blood glucose, "shin spots" that can develop on the front of the legs (these are harmless and are nothing to worry about), and fatty plaques that are orange-yellow in color may appear around the eyes or on the shins or elbows.

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Last Updated:01/01/07
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