TYPES OF DIABETES COMPLICATIONS

As we know, diabetes is one of the serious diseases and if not well managed, it can lead to several health complications affecting many areas of the body, which include your eyes, heart, kidneys, nerves and feet. In fact, diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in the working age population in the UK. Still, however, the good news is that by keeping blood glucose, blood pressure and blood fat levels as near to normal as possible together with following a healthy lifestyle, the risks of developing diabetes complications can be reduced.

 

I. HYPOGLYCAEMIA

Hypoglycemia practically refers to low blood glucose levels which is less than 4mmol/l. This can happen when diabetes is treated with insulin and/or with some diabetes medication. Hypoglycemia should be treated immediately because if not treated, the symptoms can become worse to the point where a person can become unconscious. Some of the reasons and warning signs for hypoglycemia are:

1. Too much diabetes medication.

2. Delayed meal or snack.

3. Insufficient carbohydrate.

4. Hunger.

5. Trembling.

6. Sweating.

7. Mood change.

8. Paleness.

 

II. HYPERGLYCEMIA

Unlike hypoglycemia where the blood glucose is on the low level, hyperglycemia in contrast refers to having high levels of blood glucose. Consistently having high levels of blood glucose if left untreated, it can lead to a dangerous condition called diabetic ketoacidosis in people with Type 1 diabetes. What’s more, the initial symptoms of raised blood glucose levels include passing more urine and feeling thirsty, which can cause you to become dehydrated and if left untreated, the symptoms will progress and cause nausea, vomiting, drowsiness and eventual unconsciousness.

 

III. CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE (CVD)

People with diabetes are four to five times more at risk of developing CVD compared to people without diabetes. As it triggers heart disease, stroke and all other diseases of the heart and circulation, poorly controlled blood glucose, blood pressure, as well as blood fat levels increase the likelihood of narrowing and blocking of the arteries, which is known as atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis, in relation to CVD, can lead to certain areas of the body being starved of essential oxygen and nutrients. Hence, if an artery leading to the heart becomes blocked, it can cause a heart attack. However, if the blockage happens to an artery leading to the brain, it can cause a stroke.

 

IV. EYES (RETINOPATHY)

As mentioned previously, diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in the working age population in the UK. People with diabetes are literally at risk of developing retinopathy when the blood vessels in the retina become blocked, leaky or grow injudiciously. The damage inflicted, subsequently, gets in the way of the light passing through to the retina (part of the eye) and if left untreated, it can damage your vision. Over time, narrowing of blood vessels can harm the heart, brain, legs, eyes, kidneys, nerves, and skin; resulting in heart failure, strokes, leg cramps during walking, "poor vision (retinopathy)", kidney stones, damage to nerves (neuropathy), and skin breakdown.