Effects of Diabetes – Part 2 - Health Plus Digest

The extra glucose that is in the blood will cause significant and cumulative damage to the eyes and retina; the long term effects of which are blindness. Damage is also done to the heart muscle which can potentiate the effects of heart disease, stroke and increase the risk of heart attacks.

The damage done to the vascular system in the heart also affects the vascular system in the hands and feet, more prominently the feet. This is called the peripheral vascular system that feeds your feet and hands with oxygen and nutrition. The increased blood sugar will cause the vascular system to work poorly and allows fluid to build up in the extremities. This causes swelling in the feet and can lead to open sores, gangrene and amputation. All of this is the result of the increased fluid build up in the cellular structures of the feet which increases the risk of infection and decreases the ability of the body to repair itself. (3)

The increased amount of blood glucose also increases the work of the kidneys which takes an incredible toll over the years. The kidneys accurately attempt to filter the extra glucose out of the bloodstream. In order to do this more water must be extracted from the blood which leads to dehydration and thirst in the individual. It also leads to an increased amount of urination. This increased workload will lead to kidney failure if the diabetes is not well controlled. The added strain to the vascular system in the kidneys will also contribute to kidney failure. (4)

The long-term effect of diabetes has the potential to be devastating. Individuals face the future with potential loss of legs to amputation, kidney dialysis because of a failed kidney or stroke or heart attack from vascular damage. However, with care, lifestyle changes and strictly following the recommendations of the endocrinologist, most individuals are able to significantly delay and potentially alleviate these effects completely.

References:

(1) PennState Hershey Milton S. Hershey Medical Center: Diabetes Type-1

http://pennstatehershey.adam.com/content.aspx?productId=10&pid=10&gid=000009

(2) American Diabetes Association: Tight Diabetes Control

http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/blood-glucose-control/tight-diabetes-control.html

(3) Kids Health: Long-Term Complications of Diabetes

http://kidshealth.org/teen/diabetes_center/basics/complications.html

(4) Medline Plus: Long-term Complications of diabetes

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/patientinstructions/000327.htm