Diabetes complications can affect anyone, regardless of age or gender. They’re also often preventable. Here are some things you can do to reduce your chances of getting diabetes complications.
Nerve Damage.
Diabetics are at an increased risk of developing neuropathy, a condition where nerves become damaged by high blood sugar levels. This can lead to numbness, tingling, burning pain, and other symptoms. It’s possible to treat neuropathy with medication, but it’s better to prevent it by controlling blood glucose levels.
Neuropathy is one of the most common complications of diabetes. The disease damages the peripheral nervous system, which controls sensation and movement. In some cases, patients develop painful nerve damage called diabetic neuropathy. Other people who suffer from diabetes may notice numbness, tingles, or burning sensations in their feet, hands, legs, arms, or face. These symptoms usually go away after the person has controlled his or her blood sugar level for several months. However, if the problem persists, doctors may prescribe medications to help ease the discomfort.
Heart Disease.
Heart disease is a major cause of death worldwide. According to the American Heart Association, more than 1 million people die each year due to cardiovascular diseases (CVD). CVD includes coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, peripheral arterial disease, cerebrovascular disease, rheumatic heart disease, congenital heart disease, and hypertensive heart disease.
The most common type of heart disease is atherosclerosis, which occurs when plaque builds up inside arteries. Plaque buildup narrows blood vessels, reducing blood flow to organs and tissues. Atherosclerosis can lead to heart attack, stroke, kidney damage, leg pain, and other health problems.
Kidney Failure.
If you have type 1 diabetes, you need to monitor your blood sugar levels closely. This will help prevent diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which occurs when there isn’t enough insulin available to control blood glucose levels. DKA can lead to coma and death.
The most common complication of type 1 diabetes is kidney failure. In fact, according to the American Diabetes Association, people who develop kidney disease due to diabetes are three times more likely to die than those without diabetes.