Long-Term Effects of Diabetes

The effects of diabetes are hard to ignore. Type 2 diabetes is a disease where the body is unable to produce enough insulin or use it properly. High blood glucose levels result. If left untreated, diabetes can cause many other health complications, some of them serious.

Many people have undiagnosed diabetes. Some may not be aware that they are at risk for diabetes, others might know they're at risk but are too scared to get tested. A diagnosis of type 2 diabetes isn't the end of the world. It can be treated, often with lifestyle changes like dietary changes and exercise. Medication or insulin isn't always needed. However, ignoring the risks or signs of diabetes and leaving the disease untreated is dangerous to your health.

Diabetes treatment is based around keeping your blood glucose levels in normal or near-normal ranges (your doctor will give you a "target range"). Poor management of blood sugar increases the risk of many nasty long-term complications such as:

• Heart disease or stroke. It's estimated that diabetics are twice as likely to have a heart attack or stroke as someone who doesn't have diabetes. Diabetics also tend to be younger when they develop heart disease.

• Nerve damage: many diabetics report a tingling or burning sensation, usually first noticed in their feet or hands (although nerve damage can occur anywhere in the body). This is known as diabetic neuropathy. In some cases the pain is so terrible that even the slightest touch (for example, from a glove or a sock) is painful.

• Sexual problems: men may experience erectile dysfunction (impotence) while women may experience vaginal dryness and decreased sexual appetite. Vaginal yeast infections can also impact sexual activity.

• Eye/vision problems: blurry vision, cataracts, "floaters", glaucoma, blank spots in your vision, or eye pain are some examples.

• Foot problems: our feet take a lot of pressure every day. Nerve damage (which can cause pain or numbness), poor circulation, and slow healing of wounds are often reported by diabetics. A great deal has been written on proper diabetes foot care. Good daily foot care is essential for anyone with diabetes.

• Kidney disease or failure: kidney disease develops over the long term. Diabetics should be regularly screened to kidney problems so that treatment can help stop it from progressing to kidney failure. If kidney failure occurs, the patient must undergo dialysis or receive a kidney transplant.

The long-term effects of diabetes are numerous. Your best defense is to take care of yourself. Follow your treatment plan, eat well, exercise regularly, take your medication or insulin as prescribed, and lose weight if you are overweight. This will help keep blood glucose levels under tight control and lower your risk for diabetes-related complications.