A diabetic person cannot make normal use of sugar, and so sugar builds up in the blood. The kidneys discharge some of the excess sugar in the urine. In severe cases of diabetes, fats and proteins cannot also be used normally.

The type 1 diabetes strikes some people so suddenly that the lack of insulin causes an emergency condition called diabetic ketoacidosis. There is excess urination, thirst, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and difficulty in breathing. If the patient is not treated promptly, he may go into diabetic coma with fatal results.

In type 2 diabetes, the patient has normal or even above normal production of insulin. But their bodies do not respond efficiently to the insulin. Symptoms of type 2 diabetes are excessive urination, great thirst, hunger and loss of weight and strength.

Complications of Diabetes

It is very important to take care of diabetes as improper care can give rise to several complications. If the blood sugar level is kept under control, one can prevent many health problems. Many people come to know of their diabetes only when they develop one of its complications.

1.    The structural and functional abnormalities of diabetic complications are the glycation of structural proteins and the production of advanced glycation end products with their deposition in various tissues.
2.    Most patients with type 2 diabetes also tends to be obese and hypertensive.
3.    Angina is a long term complication of diabetes.
4.    Difficulty in walking with chronic ulceration of feet due to diabetic neuropathy and also diabetic microangiopathy and diabetic nephropathy due to small blood vessel disease.
5.    Diabetic patients are at higher risk of developing atheroscelerosis.
6.    Wound healing is delayed in diabetics because of neuropathy, and hyperglycaemia.
7.    Intermittent claudication and gangrene due to atherosclerosis
8.    Blindness due to diabetic retinopathy
9.    Diabetes affects the blood vessels, the blood and the heart.
10.    Cardiac failure is also another long term complication of diabetes.

I hope this article has covered some of the long term complications of diabetes. Knowing these complications will help you to prevent them.

Control your blood glucose level for more controlled life!

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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