Living with diabetes requires diligent management, but even with careful control, the potential for complications remains. Along with well-documented risks, a range of less-publicised health issues can arise, significantly impacting quality of life. These hidden complications often develop gradually, making early detection and intervention crucial.

This article delves into these overlooked aspects of diabetes, highlighting the importance of comprehensive care and proactive monitoring.

Understanding Diabetes and its Impact

In diabetes, the body can’t produce or respond to insulin properly, which leads to high sugar levels that can damage blood vessels and nerves. This can lead to complications affecting the heart, kidneys, eyes, and nervous system. The longer a person has diabetes and the less controlled their sugar levels are, the higher the risk of developing chronic and acute complications.

5 Major Complications of Diabetes

While diabetes can cause a range of complications, here are the five most important and most common ones:

• Cardiovascular Diseases (Heart & Blood Vessels)
  Having diabetes increases the risk of heart disease and stroke because high sugar levels can damage blood vessels and lead to atherosclerosis. People with diabetes are twice as likely to develop cardiovascular diseases compared to those without diabetes.
• Diabetic Neuropathy (Nerve Damage)
  High sugar levels can damage nerves over time, resulting in diabetic neuropathy. Symptoms include tingling, numbness, burning pain, and muscle weakness, especially in the hands and feet. Severe cases can cause diabetic foot ulcers, infections, and in extreme circumstances, amputation.
• Diabetic Retinopathy (Eye Damage)
  Diabetes is one of the leading causes of vision loss and blindness. Chronic high blood sugar levels damage the tiny blood vessels in the retina, causing diabetic retinopathy. If left untreated, it can lead to glaucoma, cataracts, and complete vision loss.
• Kidney Disease (Diabetic Nephropathy)
  The kidneys filter waste from the blood, but diabetes can damage the delicate filtering system, leading to diabetic nephropathy. Over time, this can result in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and even kidney failure, requiring dialysis or a transplant.
• Diabetic Foot Complications
  Due to nerve damage and poor circulation, diabetes can cause foot ulcers and infections. Minor cuts and blisters can turn into serious infections, leading to gangrene and amputation if left untreated.

Complications of Diabetes Type 1 vs. Type 2

Although type 1 and type 2 diabetes share common complications, there are some differences:

6 Unexpected Side Effects of Diabetes

Beyond the well-known complications, diabetes can cause unexpected and lesser-known side effects, which can significantly impact daily life.

• Hearing Loss
  Studies suggest that diabetes may damage the blood vessels and nerves in the inner ear, leading to hearing impairment over time.
• Gum Disease and Oral Health Issues
  High blood sugar levels can cause infections and inflammation in the gums, leading to periodontal disease and tooth loss.
• Skin Problems
  People with diabetes are prone to bacterial and fungal skin infections, including diabetic dermopathy (brown patches on the skin) and necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum (NLD), which causes reddish, shiny patches.
• Cognitive Decline and Alzheimer’s Disease
  Diabetes increases the risk of cognitive decline, memory loss, and Alzheimer’s disease. High blood sugar levels can damage brain cells, affecting memory and thinking abilities.
• Digestive Problems
  Diabetes can slow down the digestive system, leading to gastroparesis (delayed stomach emptying), causing nausea, bloating, and digestive discomfort.
• Frequent Infections and Slow Healing Wounds
  High blood sugar weakens the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight infections. Cuts and wounds take longer to heal, increasing the risk of serious infections.

Complications of Diabetes in Pregnancy

For pregnant women, diabetes presents additional risks, both for the mother and the baby. Gestational diabetes, type 1 diabetes, or type 2 diabetes during pregnancy can lead to severe complications, including:

• High Birth Weight (Macrosomia) – Increased glucose levels lead to excessive foetal growth, increasing the risk of complications during delivery.
• Preeclampsia – A dangerous condition causing high blood pressure and organ damage in pregnant women.
• Premature Birth – Babies born to diabetic mothers are at a higher risk of preterm birth and respiratory distress syndrome.
• Stillbirth and Birth Defects – Uncontrolled diabetes can increase the risk of stillbirth and congenital abnormalities in the baby.

Chronic Complications of Diabetes Mellitus

The chronic complications of diabetes mellitus develop over several years and require constant monitoring and management. They include:

• Small blood vessels can be affected leading to diabetic retinopathy, neuropathy, and nephropathy.
• Larger arteries may be affected increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and peripheral artery disease (PAD).
• Diabetes can cause joint pain, limited mobility, and increased risk of osteoporosis.
• Many individuals with diabetes experience depression, anxiety, and diabetes distress, impacting their mental well-being.

Prevention and Management of Diabetes Complications

Although complications of diabetes can be severe, they are largely preventable with the right lifestyle choices and medical care. Here’s how:

• Regularly monitor and keep blood sugar within the target range.
• A balanced diet with low sugar, fibre-rich foods, and lean proteins helps in glucose control.
• Physical activity improves insulin sensitivity and helps in weight management.
• Monitoring blood pressure and cholesterol reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke.
• Quit smoking and limit alcohol as both contribute to worsening diabetes complications.
• Routine screenings help in the early detection of complications.

Sources:

• https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/diabetes-complications
• https://www.verywellhealth.com/type-2-diabetes-complications
• https://diabeteswellnessaustralia.com.au/blog/complications-of-diabetes-in-our-health/
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/type-1-diabetes/complications/
• https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gestational-diabetes/symptoms-causes