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What are the Most Common Diabetes Complications?

Jacob Queen
Jacob Queen

The most common diabetes complications involve the eyes and the kidneys. Many people with diabetes eventually develop some kind of problem with their vision, and these problems will often be progressive. It is also very common for diabetes sufferers to have faulty kidneys over time, and this will often get worse if the individual’s blood sugar levels aren’t managed well. Some of the other common diabetes complications include issues with the nervous system, heart problems, and infections in the feet.

The eye problems that are common diabetes complications include everything from glaucoma to cataracts. This is because of what diabetes does to the blood vessels in the eyeball. Over time, the blood is actually leaking into the eyeball, and this can cause a fairly wide range of problems depending on the location of the bleeding and other factors. If the person realizes he has diabetes in time and takes the proper precautions, he can slow down the progress of these disorders and sometimes stop them.

It is critical for those with diabetes to check their blood sugar regularly.
It is critical for those with diabetes to check their blood sugar regularly.

Diabetes is also a common cause of various kidney disorders, including kidney failure. When people are diagnosed with diabetes, it can sometimes be important for them to be frequently tested for possible kidney problems. Kidney failure is one of the more dangerous diabetes complications, and it can potentially be deadly. Many people are eventually required to use dialysis treatment to make up for the problems with their kidneys.

People with diabetes must be aware of their blood sugar levels in order to minimize complications.
People with diabetes must be aware of their blood sugar levels in order to minimize complications.

Some people with diabetes eventually suffer with some kind of nerve damage. This often occurs in the extremities and leads to many different symptoms. Some of the more common symptoms include strange burning or tingling sensations and a total loss of feeling. For example, a person with diabetes may experience strange tingling sensations in his feet for no reason. Eventually, he may lose some of the feeling in his toes.

Small injuries may cause dangerous infections for individuals with diabetes.
Small injuries may cause dangerous infections for individuals with diabetes.

People with diabetes often have many circulatory issues, and this can lead to a wide variety of diabetes complications. The most common of these are issues directly related to the circulatory system, such as heart attack and stroke. Another problem that comes from the circulatory complications is healing from injuries, and this can be particularly damaging in the feet because they tend to have more problems with circulation than other parts of the body. A small injury like a hangnail can potentially lead to very dangerous infections for someone with diabetes, and amputations are sometimes necessary.

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    • It is critical for those with diabetes to check their blood sugar regularly.
      By: WavebreakmediaMicro
      It is critical for those with diabetes to check their blood sugar regularly.
    • People with diabetes must be aware of their blood sugar levels in order to minimize complications.
      By: Alila Medical Media
      People with diabetes must be aware of their blood sugar levels in order to minimize complications.
    • Small injuries may cause dangerous infections for individuals with diabetes.
      By: Ubi Desperare Nescio
      Small injuries may cause dangerous infections for individuals with diabetes.
    • Diabetes complications may impact the kidneys.
      By: CLIPAREA.com
      Diabetes complications may impact the kidneys.
    • When blood sugar levels fluctuate in and out of normal range, the kidneys become overtaxed.
      By: brankatekic
      When blood sugar levels fluctuate in and out of normal range, the kidneys become overtaxed.
    • Some diabetics suffer from glaucoma and other eye diseases that cause vision loss.
      By: Monkey Business
      Some diabetics suffer from glaucoma and other eye diseases that cause vision loss.
    • Many diabetics eventually have to undergo dialysis to compensate for the problems with their kidneys.
      By: Tyler Olson
      Many diabetics eventually have to undergo dialysis to compensate for the problems with their kidneys.