What are the dangers of type 2 diabetes?
Dangers of Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease that affects the body's ability to produce or use insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels and nerves, leading to a number of serious complications, including:
* Heart disease and stroke: Type 2 diabetes increases the risk of heart disease, such as coronary artery disease and heart attacks, and stroke by two to four times. This is because high blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels, making them more likely to become blocked or narrowed.
* Kidney disease: Type 2 diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure. High blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels in the kidneys, which can lead to kidney damage and failure.
* Blindness: Type 2 diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in adults. High blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye, which can lead to blindness.
* Nerve damage (neuropathy): Type 2 diabetes can damage the nerves, which can lead to numbness, tingling, pain, and weakness in the hands, feet, and legs. Nerve damage can also affect digestion, heart rate, and blood pressure.
* Foot problems: Type 2 diabetes can lead to foot problems, such as infections, ulcers, and nerve damage. Foot problems can be serious and may even lead to amputation.
* Skin problems: Type 2 diabetes can lead to skin problems, such as infections, itching, and dryness. Skin problems can be a sign of nerve damage or poor circulation.
* Gum disease: Type 2 diabetes can increase the risk of gum disease, a bacterial infection of the gums that can lead to tooth loss. Gum disease is a sign of poor blood sugar control.
* Sexual problems: Type 2 diabetes can lead to sexual problems in both men and women, such as erectile dysfunction (ED) in men and vaginal dryness in women. Sexual problems can be a sign of nerve damage or poor blood flow.
* Amputations: When diabetes does not get treated on time or when treatments are not managed well, it could result in some parts of the body not receiving the blood and oxygen they need. This could also result in ulcers and infections that do not heal. In such serious cases, amputation might be necessary.