
01/07/2024
Extremely dangerous complications of diabetes
Complications of diabetes are mostly caused by uncontrolled high blood sugar levels over a long period of time, causing damage to small blood vessels and large blood vessels. When the vascular system is damaged, it will affect the function of the nerves, eyes, kidneys, heart, etc.
1. Diabetic retinopathy
A common cause of blindness in diabetic patients. The disease appears when small blood vessels are damaged, retinal capillary aneurysms (background retinopathy) cause angiogenesis (proliferative retinopathy) and macular edema. The disease is often asymptomatic in the early stages, symptoms that become obvious when the disease progresses include: blurred vision, vitreous detachment, retinal detachment, partial or total loss of vision. To prevent diabetic retinopathy, patients must have their retinas checked regularly every year. If detected early, the treatment success rate is high, preventing vision loss.
2. Diabetic nephropathy
The main cause of chronic renal failure in diabetic patients. The disease appears when the glomerular basement membrane thickens, mesangial proliferation and glomerular sclerosis. These changes cause increased glomerular pressure and a gradual decrease in glomerular filtration rate. Kidney disease accompanied by hypertension accelerates the progression of the disease. The disease is often asymptomatic until nephrotic syndrome or chronic renal failure.
3. Diabetic neuropathy
Is a consequence of microvascular ischemia, the direct effect of blood sugar on nerve cells and intracellular metabolic changes that reduce nerve function. Diabetic neuropathy is divided into many forms including:
Peripheral neuropathy: neuropathy is most common in diabetic patients, affecting the nerves in the feet and legs, some cases in the hands and forearms. About ⅓ to ½ of diabetic patients have peripheral neuropathy. Symptoms include: numbness, itching, loss of sensation in the feet, etc.
Autonomic neuropathy: Affects the autonomic nerves of the digestive system, cardiovascular system, urinary system, ge****ls, eyes, sweat glands, etc., causing loss of ability to recognize signs of hypoglycemia.
Mononeuropathy: Damage to single nerves often occurs in the hands, head, trunk or legs. Damage compressing the nerve causes carpal tunnel syndrome, causing pain, numbness, and muscle atrophy in the hand, etc.
Plexus-radiculopathy: Damage to nerves causes muscle atrophy. Polyneuropathy, manifested by pain on one side of the thigh, weight loss, and weakness.