Complications of Diabetes overview

Complications of uncontrolled Diabetes

Diabetes can turn into a dreadful monster if not controlled.  But if sugar levels are kept under control, a diabetic may perhaps never have even slightest of discomfort due to diabetes. The complications of Diabetes may be either because of persistent increase in blood glucose levels as a result of uncontrolled Diabetes ( called chronic complications) or may be the result of acute lowering of blood glucose, or extremely high blood glucose or ketone levels,  (called acute complications ).

  
Complications in Pregnancy Carpal & tarsal Tunnel Syndromes in Diabetes Peripheral Artery Disease may be an early indicator of Cardiovascular Disease Peripheral Neuropathy causes burning sensation and pain in feet Skin problems are frequent in Diabetes Heart Disease may turn to be lethal in Diabetes Dry Skin & Cracked heels are frequent in Diabetics Gum Disease is a frequent complication of uncontrolled Diabetes Blindness is a major complication of Diabetes and irreversible Stroke & Paralysis may be Fatal and Debilitating Gait Disturbance and Fall are Frequent in Diabetics Diabetic Gastropathy causes fullness of stomach Urinary Problems Fatty Liver Skin Complications of Diabetes Ear infections may be difficult to treat in uncontrolled Diabetes Kidney Failure is progressive leading to Dialysis & Kidney Replacement Kidney Failure can be prevented with good Control of Diabtes Charcot Foot and Deformities are Diabetes Complications Hair Loss & Thinning may be initial symptoms of Diabetes Hair Loss & Thinning may reduce with good Control of Diabetes 		High Blood Pressure   
Ear infections may get complicated in uncontrolled Diabetics Cardiovascular Complications of Heart Kidney failure occurs with uncontrolled Diabetes Peripheral Arterial Disease may limit Walking and cause pain in legs Blindness can be prevented in Diabetics with good Control Stroke & Paralysis are life threatening and debilitating complications of Diabetes Diabetic Foot is a constellation of Diabetes related problems in the feet S Skin complications in Diabetes Skin Complications in Diabetes Frequent infections and Sexual Problems may be caused by Diabetes High Blood Pressure High Blood Pressure in Diabetes Diabetic Gastropathy Charcot Foot Gum Disease Diabetics are more prone to Falls and Fractures Carpal & Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome Ear infections may get complicated in uncontrolled Diabetics
Stroke & Paralysis
 Ear Problems
 Eye Problems
 Gum Disease

 Heart problems
 Stomach Problems
 Fatty Liver
 Pregnancy & Fertility
 Kidney Failure
 Skin Problems
 Wrist & Ankle problems
 Leg Problems
 Sexual Problems
 Urinary Tract Infections
 Burning & Numbness in Feet
 Gait & Balance
 Foot Infections & Amputation
Fracture & Deformity of Foot

 Explore these figures to see how Diabetes affects your Body, by taking the cursor over different parts of the bodies and clicking the respective links...

ACUTE COMPLICATIONS

Diabetes may be a cause for Acute complications which arise from extremely high or low levels of glucose. These complications require urgent medical treatment in the Emergency department of a hospital or an ICU.


Hypoglycemia complication of Diabetes

Hypoglycemia or Low Blood Sugar in Diabetes

Acute lowering of blood glucose ( below 50 mg /dl) due to overdose of insulin or glucose lowering medication, kidney or liver disease, or skipping meals.....

Also see  HYPOGLYCEMIA Unawareness, due to autonomic neuropathy, the diabetic person does not have any symptoms even when glusoe levels are critically low.
Ketoacidosis and Hyperosmolar State

Ketoacidosis and Hyperosmolar State- Acute Emergencies

Ketoacidosis is a metabolic abnormality usually seen patients on insulin (Type I), can cause severe pain in stomach, vommitting, with a characterstic fruity odour of breath.....

Hyperosmolar state When blood glucose levels are extremely high ( above 600 mgs/dl) blood literally thickens...


Heart Attack- Myocardial infarction in Diabetes

Heart Attack in Diabetes

Complete or partial blockage of coronary arteries supplying blood to heart may cause death of portion of heart muscles, causing heart failure, irregular heart beats and other serious complications.

 

 

 
Stroke & Paralysis Diabetes complications

Stroke & Paralysis in Diabetes

Stroke is caused by blockage of arteries supplying blood to parts of the brain, symptoms may vary from difficulty in speech, weakness in legs or hands, sudden emotional changes to seizures and coma......

CHRONIC COMPLICATIONS

Chronic complications are caused by persistently high blood glucose levels and the damage done to various organs and tissues due to diabetes. Most of the complications of Diabetes are due to formation of Advanced Glycation End products AGE; When the glucose levels are persistently raised all the cells of body are immersed in a sugary syrup ( like Jalebi / or gulab Jamun  in syrup), this affects the synthesis of proteins, as proteins are structural elements of the cells, cells formed with a defective structure are not able to function properly ( like a house built with defective and fragile bricks).

Due to persistently raised levels of Glucose, cells forming the inner lining of blood vessel (endothelial cells) are not able to function properly and may cause clotting of blood and formation of thrombuses which disrupt blood supply to vital organs like heart, brain or kidneys.

Atherosclerosis & Cardiovascular Complications

Deposition of calcium and other substances in walls of blood vessels cause blockages in blood flow to vital organs like heart, brain etc.. resulting in decreased effeciency and damage to these organs...

Renal Complications

Kidneys are vital to our existence as they secrete the waste products from our body together with urine, In uncontrolled Diabetes the structure of kidneys change making them nonfunctional..glomeruli , the functioning unit of kidneys are damaged...click to read more..

Angina and Heart Failure

Decreased blood supply to heart and  constant damage to muscles of heart makes them inefficient and causes pain, breathlesness and chest discomfort with exertion to varying degrees...

Eye Complications

Light is percieved by the light sensitive part of eye called retina.. this gets damaged in uncontrolled Diabetes leading to Blindness. Other eye problems like Glaucoma and cataract are also more frequent and of more severe nature in Diabetes.click to read more..

Stroke and TIA

Blockage of large blood vessels supplying blood to different parts of brain may cause acute emergencies like paralysis or death, Smaller arteries supplying blood to some parts of brain may also get damaged over time in Diabetes leading to microinfartcs- death of small areas of the brain. Click to read more...

Neurological Complications

Lack of insulin and long standing Diabetes causes damage to nerves, all kinds of nerves may get affected in Diabetes, including those of Central Nervous system ( Brain) or Peripheral nervous system- innervating hands, legs and other organs of the body, symptoms range from pain, numbness, burning and pricking to loss of function,  impotence and even death. Click to read more..

Diabetic Foot

Diabetic Foot is a Constellation of Problems affecting the Foot in Diabetics, Damage to Nerves and Blood vessels lead to formation of non healing wounds which may even require amputation of the leg for treatment. Click here to read more..