What are 3 major complications of diabetes?

Summary

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  • The long-term effects of diabetes include damage to large and small blood vessels, which can lead to heart attack and stroke, and problems with the kidneys, eyes, feet and nerves.
  • The good news is that the risk of long-term effects of diabetes can be reduced.
  • Regular screening is important to detect diabetes-related health problems early. It’s also important to keep your waist measurement, blood pressure, blood glucose levels, HbA1c and cholesterol within recommended ranges.
  • It's very important that you don't smoke if you have diabetes as it increases the likelihood of health problems.

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What are 3 major complications of diabetes?

What are 3 major complications of diabetes?

This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:

What are 3 major complications of diabetes?

What are 3 major complications of diabetes?

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Also called: Diabetic complications

Summary

What is diabetes?

If you have diabetes, your blood glucose, or blood sugar, levels are too high. Glucose comes from the foods you eat. A hormone called insulin helps the glucose get into your cells to give them energy. With type 1 diabetes, your body does not make insulin. With type 2 diabetes, your body does not make or use insulin well. Without enough insulin, the glucose stays in your blood.

What health problems can diabetes cause?

Over time, having too much glucose in your blood can cause complications, including:

  • Eye disease, due to changes in fluid levels, swelling in the tissues, and damage to the blood vessels in the eyes
  • Foot problems, caused by damage to the nerves and reduced blood flow to your feet
  • Gum disease and other dental problems, because a high amount of blood sugar in your saliva helps harmful bacteria grow in your mouth. The bacteria combine with food to form a soft, sticky film called plaque. Plaque also comes from eating foods that contain sugars or starches. Some types of plaque cause gum disease and bad breath. Other types cause tooth decay and cavities.
  • Heart disease and stroke, caused by damage to your blood vessels and the nerves that control your heart and blood vessels
  • Kidney disease, due to damage to the blood vessels in your kidneys. Many people with diabetes develop high blood pressure. That can also damage your kidneys.
  • Nerve problems (diabetic neuropathy), caused by damage to the nerves and the small blood vessels that nourish your nerves with oxygen and nutrients
  • Sexual and bladder problems, caused by damage to the nerves and reduced blood flow in the genitals and bladder
  • Skin conditions, some of which are caused by changes in the small blood vessels and reduced circulation. People with diabetes are also more likely to have infections, including skin infections.

What other problems can people with diabetes have?

If you have diabetes, you need to watch out for blood sugar levels that are very high (hyperglycemia) or very low (hypoglycemia). These can happen quickly and can become dangerous. Some of the causes include having another illness or infection and certain medicines. They can also happen if you don't get the right amount of diabetes medicines. To try to prevent these problems, make sure to take your diabetes medicines correctly, follow your diabetic diet, and check your blood sugar regularly.

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

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  • Diabetes - preventing heart attack and stroke (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
  • Diabetes: Dental Tips
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  • Diabetic hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
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  • Long term complications of diabetes (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish

What is the most serious complication of diabetes?

Take a closer look at these major diabetes complications: Heart disease and stroke: People with diabetes are two times more likely to have heart disease or a stroke as people without diabetes. Blindness and other eye problems: Damage to blood vessels in the retina (diabetic retinopathy)

What are 5 major complications of diabetes?

What are the major complications of diabetes?.
Eye problems (retinopathy) ... .
Diabetes foot problems are serious and can lead to amputation if untreated. ... .
Heart attack and stroke. ... .
Kidney problems (nephropathy) ... .
Nerve damage (neuropathy) ... .
Gum disease and other mouth problems. ... .
Related conditions, like cancer..

What is the number 1 complication of diabetes?

Heart and blood vessel disease. Diabetes increases the risk of some problems with the heart and blood vessels. These include coronary artery disease with chest pain (angina), heart attack, stroke, narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis) and high blood pressure.

What are 9 complications of diabetes?

Complications.
Heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) disease. Diabetes majorly increases the risk of many heart problems. ... .
Nerve damage (neuropathy). ... .
Kidney damage (nephropathy). ... .
Eye damage (retinopathy). ... .
Foot damage. ... .
Skin and mouth conditions. ... .
Hearing impairment. ... .
Alzheimer's disease..