Problems Related to Diabetes

Diabetes, a medical condition involving excess sugar in the blood, damages blood vessels by making them thicker, less elastic and more prone to blockage. Blockage lays the groundwork for stroke. According to the American Diabetes Association, heart disease or stroke kills 65 percent of diabetics. High blood sugar impacts organ function long before symptoms appear, so a person may be diabetic for years and not realize it.

Eyes

• When blood sugar levels remain high, blood vessels to the retina (behind the eye) may leak and/or close, decreasing the flow of oxygen. There may be no visual changes at this time. However, if many parts of the retina are affected, proliferative diabetic retinopathy--a condition where the eye compensates by creating new but weak blood vessels--can occur. If the new vessels rupture, bleeding can scar the retina and lead to blindness. Diabetics need to visit their eye care providers annually to check the blood vessels of their eyes.

Teeth and Gums

• High blood sugar contributes to teeth and gum problems by encouraging bacterial growth. In gum disease, the gums may be red, swollen and painful; teeth may be loose, dentures may not fit and bad breath may be present. Other problems caused by excessively high blood sugar are thrush (fungal infection of the mouth), cavities and ulcers. People with diabetes should practice good oral hygiene and see their dentist if their gums start bleeding.

Feet

• Chronically high sugar levels can damage blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the nerves of the lower extremities. The legs and feet become numb or tingly and are less sensitive to pain, texture or pressure. A diabetic may not be aware of a sore on the bottom of his feet. The sore may worsen over time and become infected. The worst case scenario is a sore that goes untreated and eventually requires amputation of a foot or limb. Diabetics need to wear shoes and check their feet daily for sores, cuts or blisters.

Kidneys

• High blood sugars can damage the blood vessels that supply the kidneys. Blood vessels leak when damaged; as a result, remaining blood vessels are forced to carry the entire workload. Some of those blood vessels may collapse under the pressure, and the burden is handed down to an even smaller number of blood vessels. The cycle repeats itself until, sooner or later, the kidneys fail due to a lack of blood supply. The diabetic is then put on dialysis and eventually may need a kidney transplant.

A Final Thought

• Diabetes creates problems if blood sugars are chronically elevated. However, by keeping blood sugars controlled and visiting health care providers on a regular basis, many of the problems can be prevented if caught early.