Diabetes Basics
Diabetes And Its Complications
A diabetic patient's misery doesn't end with
regulation of blood sugar level or diet control, in most of the cases it
gives way to a number of post disease complications. These complications
may be of different levels of severity depending upon patient's
sincerity towards precautionary measures. Some of the following
complications are likely to crop upas a consequence of diabetes:
A) Diabetic hyperglycemic hyperosmolar coma is one of the
consequence that needs emergency treatment.
Normally, it is the
Type 2 diabetics who face this complication that results in sudden
decrease in consciousness, extremely high level of blood glucose
without ketone acids and increased dehydration. It is mainly a result
of negligence towards proper medication. Fluid loss is increased or
glucose tolerance is impaired by either certain infections or by
improper medication. Old age, kidney's inefficiency, heart attack and
stroke may be some other reasons for it.
B) Diabetic retinopathy is one of such diseases which occurs due
to damaged blood vessels of retina. Initial level of disease causes
blurred vision, it is called non-proliferated diabetic retinopathy.
While later stage of disease is called Proliferative retinopathy which
results in blood vessel bleeding that gives way to vision loss. To
prevent this disease, blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol
should be kept in control. Laser surgery, virectomy are the remedial
measures used.
C) Kidney dysfunction called diabetic nephropathy is another
consequence of diabetes caused by thickening of blood vessels
(glomerulus) of nephrons. Later on, these blood vessels get destroyed
which may end in to kidney failure. In early stage, nephropathy shows
no symptoms but gradually, swelling around eyes, foamy appearance of
urine, swelling of legs and unintentional weight gain may be noticed.
Disease is confirmed with the help of kidney biopsy.
D) Course of treatment involves drugs like
Angiotensin converting
enzyme and Angiotensin receptor blockers. Kidney transplant and
dialysis becomes mandatory in final stage.
E) Diabetic Neuropathy is common among diabetes mellitus patients.
It's mainly a consequence of damaged nerve cells. Initially peripheral
nerves get damaged that result in tingling but later on it takes the
form of painless neuropathy.
Nerves that regulate involuntary
functions of body also get affected, it is known as autonomic
neuropathy. It causes heart complications, low BP, and sexual
impotence. Numbness, dizziness, lack of sensation in body parts and
constipation are some other symptoms. Treatment aims at reducing
symptoms through medication.
F) Arteriosclerosis is another disease arising out of diabetes. It causes
hardening of arteries that goes to legs. It results in leg pain,
numbness, and muscle pain. It reduces sensitivity of foot to injuries.
Course of treatment aims at reducing symptoms to maintain smooth blood
flow in arteries. Medicines may also be needed. Extreme cases may
require surgery.
Diabetes is a disease that may give way to a lot of complications, if
not paid heed to. Complications also include some lipid disorders due to
deposition of excessive fat in blood which gives way to hypertension and
vascular diseases. So, a diabetic must do away with these complications
as consequences are life threatening.