Diabetes Complications

There are many complications caused by diabetes.

Here are most of them:

Retinopathy – leading to blindness

Neuropathy – Affects nervous system and can affect major organs

Nephropathy – Leading to kidney failure and dialysis

Heart disease – Possible death, but often creating disability

Foot problems – This can lead to infection and possible amputation unless treated early

The above have been mentioned and are often the most serious.

The following are other complications and can range from minor to serious

Cognitive decline – can often lead to dementia or Alzheimer's, but not always

Sexual dysfunction - in men and women

Fatty liver disease – this can be problematic to fatal

Skin diseases – most of the diseases are treatable

Infections – do not let these become serious

Periodontal disease – care of you teeth is a must with diabetes

Deafness – there is a link, but more pronounced the younger a person is

Gastroparesis - also called delayed gastric emptying and this can be good and bad

Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar Nonketotic Syndrome - can happen to people with either type 1 or type 2, but most often in people with type 2 diabetes, most often in people with unmanaged diabetes. This and the following one require immediate medical treatment.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis – Can happen to both types, but most often in people with type 1 diabetes, as glucose builds to high levels in the blood stream

Hyperglycemia – elevated blood glucose levels, but not as high as the two types above

Hypoglycemia – low blood glucose levels below 70 mg/dl. This requires immediate treatment to avoid coma and possible death.

Depression – often happens to people with either type of diabetes and now there is a proven link

The most productive way to avoid the complications of diabetes is to manage your blood glucose levels and maintain A1c under 6.0%. Eating healthy and avoiding highly processed foods is important in managing diabetes.

If you are medically able, do exercise of some type that will help. Many wheelchair patients are often capable of lifting some weights and many are capable of moving around in their wheelchair.