We have already stated that
diabetes is a disease of high blood sugar. But do you know that diabetes can
have ripple effects throughout your body?
The good news: Tight control of
your blood sugar can reduce your risk of damage. Regular check-ups also can
help prevent problems or can find them early, when they can be managed.
Your nerves (especially in your
feet)
High blood sugar levels can
damage nerves and result in a condition called neuropathy. There are several
types of diabetic neuropathy, but a very common type is peripheral diabetic
neuropathy, which usually affects your feet. This condition varies from pain to
odd sensations to numbness. In severe cases, it might even lead to amputation
of a foot or leg.
People with diabetes are also at
risk of circulation problems and infections. That's why good foot care—checking
your feet for wounds, having a health-care professional check your feet
regularly, and keeping your feet clean and protected is also important.
Your eyes
Diabetes is one of the leading
causes of blindness. High blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels in the
eyes and can lead to the growth of new blood vessels there. These new blood
vessels are not as strong and can leak or burst. This condition is called
diabetic retinopathy. Caught early, retinopathy is generally treatable with
laser surgery, so be sure to have your eyes checked at least once a year.
Your teeth
(Smile and say
"ahhhh!" ) You should be doing that at your dentist's office at least
twice a year. That's because your risk of developing gum disease is twice that
of someone without diabetes. Remember: Gum disease can lead to tooth loss, and
the inflammation that results has been linked to heart disease. So, in addition
to tight control of your blood sugar, your best defence is regular brushing and
flossing.
Your heart
Cardiovascular disease is the
leading cause of death in people living with diabetes. In fact, people with
type 2 diabetes are 2 to 4 times more likely to have heart disease and stroke
than people without the disease. If you have heart-related risk
factors—including high LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, a
history of smoking, low HDL (good) cholesterol levels, and high A1C levels—make
sure that you and your doctor are working together to resolve them.
Your kidneys
When you have diabetes, you also
have a much higher risk of a kidney disease called nephropathy. In fact, 35% of
all people undergoing dialysis for kidney disease have diabetes. As with other
diabetes-related complications, a contributing factor is damage to tiny blood
vessels in your kidneys from high blood sugar levels. A warning sign is protein
in your urine, which your doctor should check for during visits. It's also
important for kidney health to be sure that your blood pressure is well
controlled.