Those who suffer with diabetes are more than aware of the
risks that come from not maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle or getting
the right treatment for their diabetic condition. There are many complications
associated with diabetes and these complications are more likely to happen if
you do not maintain a balanced diet to control your blood sugar or get the
exercise needed to maintain a healthy weight. Among these complications are
heart attacks or strokes, going blind and developing kidney disease. There is
also the risk of amputation of limbs if these complications are not treated.
Six
out of ten diabetics will become vulnerable to something called diabetic
neuropathy, or nerve damage in lay man's terms. This will generally affect the
eyesight and the other sensory related nerves, but it can affect the nerves that
are required to control motor functions, such as walking. A tingling sensation
can be often felt in the legs and feet. Decreased circulation caused from
diabetes may cause the limbs to need to be amputated due to a lack of oxygen
rich blood reaching them. Without this, tissue starts to die, leading to
amputation. This is also the reason that minor injuries often unnoticed. Once an
amputation does occur the diabetic is especially vulnerable to infection from
the surgery itself. It is not uncommon for those who have had an amputation to
then be hospitalized for a serious septic infection shortly thereafter.
Kidney problems often arise in those that suffer from
diabetes. There are many symptoms associated with this complication including
swelling of various parts of the body such as the hands, feet or ankles, nausea
and vomiting, difficulty urinating and fatigue. In theUS, kidney
failure is caused more often by uncontrolled diabetes than by any other reason.
Many
people that have diabetes suffer from eye problems as well as heart and other
vascular problems. There are tiny blood vessels within the retina of the eye,
and these blood vessels are very easily damaged by high blood sugar levels.
Having regular checkups of the eyes is the best way to ensure that this
complication doesn't affect you. In the early stages of retinopathy, the
symptoms are easily treated, but in the later stages it may be too late and you
could face blindness. In the United
States blindness is also
caused more often by diabetes than any other disorders.
Diabetes
can play havoc with the immune system and infections can be more frequent and
more dangerous. The body of the diabetic does not have the sufficient amount of
immunity to fight off colds, flu and other common ailments and infections.
Leaving these infections untreated can be deadly so visiting the doctor as soon
as you feel unwell is essential.
Diabetes,
especially when untreated, can prove to be very dangerous and in some cases,
fatal. It is vitally important that you keep on top of health checkups in order
to prevent any other complications. In the event that they do occur, you will be
able to treat them as soon as possible.
