Diabetes complications - Treatment

Support Groups:

For additional information, see: Diabetes resources.

Complications:

After many years, diabetes can lead to serious problems throughout your body, including your eyes, kidneys, and nerves.

EYE PROBLEMS

Diabetes can also damage blood vessels in the eyes, causing vision problems or blindness. Conditions may include:

• Cataracts
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Glaucoma
• Macular edema

FOOT AND SKIN PROBLEMS

People with diabetes are more likely to have foot problems because of nerve and blood vessel damage. Small sores or breaks in the skin may turn into deep skin ulcers if not treated properly. If these skin ulcers do not improve, or become larger or go deeper, amputation of the affected limb may be needed. (See: Diabetes foot care.)

HEART AND BLOOD VESSELS

If you have diabetes, your risk of a heart attack is the same as someone who has already had a heart attack. Both women and men with diabetes are at risk. You may not even have the typical signs of a heart attack. Other problem with the heart and blood vessels include:

• Damage to blood vessels that supply the legs and feet (peripheral vascular disease)
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• High cholesterol
• Stroke

NERVE PROBLEMS

Diabetes can damage nerves, which means you may not feel an injury until a large sore or infection develops. Nerve damage causes pain and numbness in the feet, as well as a number of other problems with the stomach and intestines, heart, and other organs. (See: Diabetic neuropathy.)

OTHER COMPLICATIONS

• Infections of the female genital tract, the skin, or the urinary tract
• Kidney disease and kidney failure (diabetic nephropathy)
• Problems attaining or maintaining an erection (impotence)

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you have:

• Numbness, tingling, or pain in your feet or legs
• Problems with your eyesight
• Sores or infections on your feet
• Symptoms of high blood sugar (being very thirsty, having blurry vision, having dry skin, feeling weak or tired, needing to urinate a lot)
• Symptoms of low blood sugar (weakness or tiredness, trembling, sweating, feeling irritable, unclear thinking, fast heartbeat, double or blurry vision, feeling uneasy)