Authors: Winston Wang, MD – Lori Roust, MD – Holly Geyer, MD
What complications can Diabetes lead to?
Diabetes mellitus is associated with a range of acute and chronic complications.
Acute Complications
Acute complications include diabetic ketoacidosis, which is a life-threatening condition characterized by high blood sugars, abnormal metabolism, and dangerous levels of ketones causing increased acid in the blood. Hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome leads to severely elevated glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes which can also be life-threatening. Diabetic patients can also experience severely low blood sugar levels, which can lead to seizures, altered level of consciousness, and even death.
Chronic Complications
Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to many chronic medical conditions. Some of the most common conditions affect the eyes (diabetic retinopathy), kidneys (diabetic nephropathy), and nerves (diabetic neuropathy). All three of these complications are caused by excess sugar leading to damage to small, delicate structures in the body such as the retinal blood vessels, small blood vessels in the kidneys, and small nerve endings in the feet and hands. Diabetes also increases the risk of coronary artery disease (heart attacks, chest pain), cerebrovascular disease (strokes, dementia), and peripheral artery disease (leg pain, lower-limb amputations).
Are complications preventable?
Preventing the complications of diabetes involves several key strategies. Regular check-ups are crucial. These visits help monitor blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and cholesterol, allowing for timely adjustments.
Good management of blood sugar is essential. Keeping blood glucose levels within the target range can significantly reduce the risk of complications like retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy. The American Diabetes Association suggests aiming for an A1C level of less than 7% for most adults.
Blood pressure control is also vital. High blood pressure can exacerbate both microvascular and macrovascular complications. The goal is to maintain blood pressure below 140/90 mmHg, and medications such as ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are often used to achieve this.
Cholesterol management is another critical component. Lowering LDL cholesterol levels can help prevent cardiovascular complications. Statins are commonly prescribed to manage cholesterol levels effectively. Other medications can be used if the statins cause side effects.
In addition to these measures, lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet, regular physical activity, and smoking cessation are fundamental. These changes not only help control blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol but also improve overall health and reduce the risk of complications.
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