Complications
caused by diabetes
|
Complications caused by diabetes
Here are a few complications of diabetes if left uncontrolled:
- Cardiovascular disease is by far the leading
cause of death in the United States, but people with diabetes are at
much higher risk.
- Kidney disease, also called nephropathy, occurs
when the kidney's "filter mechanism" is damaged and protein
leaks into urine in excessive amounts and eventually the kidney fails.
- Diabetes is a leading cause of damage to the
retina at the back of the eye and also increases risk of cataracts and
glaucoma.
- Nerve damage, especially in the legs and feet,
may interfere with the ability to sense pain and contributes to
serious infections.
Unfortunately, adding up the total toll of diabetes
complications shows the disease is one of the nation's leading causes of
death.
All diabetes complications can be largely prevented by practicing what is
known as "tight control," keeping your blood glucose level as
close to normal as possible. This takes time and energy, but many people
with diabetes do it successfully and live full lives without many
complications |
