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Many people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are unaware of the life-threatening complications that accompany this disease. For most, it simply means not being able to eat cookies or drink regular soda anymore. Having type 2 diabetes means much more than that. It can mean your life.

Millions of people live with diabetes now and almost 3,000 more are being diagnosed every day in the U.S alone. Learning the signs, symptoms and complications early on can prevent or slow the progression. Some have even reversed this disease through diet, exercise and supplements. Below is a list of the most common complications associated with type 2 diabetes.

Depression

Many type 2 diabetics report feeling depressed. For most, this feeling comes on after being diagnosed without fully understanding what type 2 diabetes is. Many people feel they have a disease similar to cancer and have thoughts of dying from it and feeling hopeless. Others who have food or other behavioral addictions may think they have to give up everything they love due to having diabetes.

Skin Problems

Almost 1/3 of all diabetics suffer with some type of skin disorder. Dry itchy skin is the most common followed by eczema. Early treatment of skin problems can prevent future and recurring skin infections.

Foot Complications

People with diabetes commonly have problems with the feet, usually resulting from nerve damage from poor blood flow in the legs and feet. Water retention and feelings of pins and needles are felt.

Nerve Damage

Also known as Diabetic Neuropathy, it damages nerves that run throughout the body, connecting the spinal cord to muscles, skin and other organs. Tingling in the hands, feet and other areas are most common followed by numbness and the inability to feel injury or pain in certain parts of the body.

Eye Complications

Diabetes damages blood vessels in the eyes and over time can cause cloudy vision and eventually blindness.

Kidney Disease

Uncontrolled high blood sugar damages the kidneys, affecting their ability to filter waste products from the body and also resulting in kidney failure. When the kidneys fail, people must rely on dialysis treatments several times a week to filter their blood.

Heart Disease and Stroke

People with type 2 diabetes have an increased risk of heart attack and stroke due to blood vessel damage. Poor circulation resulting from blood sugars being too high is the reason for this increased risk.

Knowing the risks and complications can better inform you about treatments and questions you should be asking your doctor. Learn all you can about type 2 diabetes and share what you know to help others.

One should carefully monitor diabetes, particularly if he is on insulin or has relatively uncontrolled diabetes. Careful attention to symptoms, home glucose monitoring and other blood tests are essential in monitoring process.

Diabetes Complications

The presence of excess sugar in the blood, over a period of time, damages all tissues in the blood, producing widespread manifestation with an increase in both morbidity and mortality. Complications may occur in any type of diabetes.

1. Metabolic disorders – Diabetic neuropathy and cataract
2. Microvascular diseases – Diabetic retinopathy; diabetic cardiomyopathy; skin disorders; diabetic nephropathy; increased bone fragility.
3. Macrovascular diseases – Coronary artery disease; peripheral vascular disease and cerebrovascular disease
4. Reduced resistance to infection – Sinus infection; infections of the skin; gingivitis and genitor-urinary tract infections
5. Multifarious problems – Mononeuritis and mononeuritis multiplex; diabetic foot disease.
6. Problems in pregnancy – Subfertility; stillbirth; miscarriage; neonatal death and congenital defects.

One can avoid these complications by the yearly (or half yearly) checkup of kidney, heart, eyes and feet by a qualified specialist so that these complications, if present, can be diagnosed at an early stage and efficiently treated before it becomes too late.

Diabetes Diet

Diet also has a significant role in controlling blood glucose level. The diabetic person should take proper consultation with his doctor and strictly follow the guidelines and meal plan suggested by him. Below are some common dietary guidelines that must be followed by every diabetic.

1. All simple, processed and concentrated carbohydrates and alcohol must be avoided.
2. Complex carbohydrate and high fiber foods should be stressed.
3. Minimize the intake of saturated fat.
4. Onion, garlic and legumes are beneficial in the treatment of diabetes.

Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.

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