Diabetes mellitus is a serious disease that can cause illnesses and even death. If you have been diagnosed with this disease, you need to be aware of the complications of diabetes mellitus. Some people suffer from chronic complications of diabetes and others suffer from acute complications of diabetes.
It is most common to experience complications of untreated diabetes. There are several types of complications related to diabetes. According to the American Diabetes Association, the most common complications of diabetes include:
- Nephropathy (kidney disease)
- PAD (peripheral artery disease)
- Neuropathy (nervous system disease, numbness, tingling)
- Heart Disease
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Ketoacidosis
- Gastroparesis
- Retinopathy (vision problems)
- Hearing loss
If you have any of these complications of diabetes mellitus, it is important to seek treatment and follow the protocol developed for you. Serious complications and even death can occur if these complications are left untreated.
Long Term Complications Of Diabetes
There are several different types of long term complications of diabetes mellitus. The above complications can have long term affects that can lead to death if they are not treated properly.
The Mayo Clinic Diabetes page lists several long term complications including kidney failure, blindness, deafness, amputation due to untreated neuropathy, coma, and even death.
The best way to treat long term complications is to avoid them. Maintaining excellent control of diabetes mellitus and keeping blood glucose levels within normal limits is the best way to prevent the complications of diabetes mellitus.
Microvascular Complications Of Diabetes
According to the Clinical Diabetes Journal, there are several types of microvascular complications of diabetes. The most common type is retinopathy. Retinopathy or eye disease related to diabetes is diagnosed in approximately 10,000 people per year.
According to the U.K. Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS), most people who have been diagnosed with type 1 (insulin dependent) diabetes develop symptoms of retinopathy within 20 years of the diabetes diagnosis. In patients with type 2 (insulin resistant) diabetes, retinopathy symptoms can occur as early as 7 years before diabetes mellitus is even diagnosed.
As you can see, there are many extreme complications of diabetes mellitus. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes or you believe you may be suffering from diabetes, it is critical that you control your blood sugar and avoid hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) causes severe damage to the tissues, organs, and systems of the body. The best way to avoid these complications is to prevent them. If you are having difficulty controlling your blood sugar with your current treatment plan, contact your doctor immediately to discuss alternate treatment plans or to get a referral to a specialist. You can live a long, healthy, and happy life with diabetes. The key is to prevent hyperglycemia and keep your blood sugar within normal levels!
