Can My Diabetes Cause Other Health Problems?

Before diving into the various complications of Diabetes, let us first start with a Diabetes Symptom Quiz 

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Diabetes Mellitus is a progressive disease. With time, the disease progresses and without proper sugar control, this process is sped up faster. 

Diabetes mellitus is also often dubbed as a silent killer. Unlike with other diseases where your body feels the effects right away, this isn’t the same case with diabetes. 

What is the life expectancy of a Diabetic?

According to one research done in Bulgaria, it was shown that the average life expectancy of a non-diabetic would be 74.8 years. 

In contrast, a type 1 diabetic would have a life expectancy of 70.96 while a type 2 diabetic would have a life expectancy of 75.19 years. 

In the Philippines however, according to the data published by WHO in 2018, Diabetes Mellitus related deaths in the Philippines have reached 25,528 or 4.19% of total deaths. This makes Diabetes Mellitus the 6^th leading cause of death in the Philippines. 

Diabetes and its complications

Over time, the effects of uncontrolled blood sugar increase the risk for the development of many serious health problems. People living with uncontrolled diabetes are at a higher risk for complications due to the damaging effects of high blood sugar on blood vessels.

Diabetes complicates many organs such as the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, nerves, and teeth. People living with diabetes are also at risk for developing varying types of infections.

In well-developed countries, diabetes has been found out to be the primary cause of cardiovascular disease (heart attack), stroke, blindness, kidney failure that may or may not need dialysis, and amputation of the feet. 

It should be remembered that it is not only the blood sugar that has to be controlled. Patients must also maintain close to normal blood pressure and cholesterol levels. These strategies are proven effective to help delay and prevent diabetes complications from happening.

The following common diabetes complications that will be discussed in this article would be:

• Diabetic Neuropathy or Nerve Disease
• Diabetic Retinopathy or Diabetic Eye Disease

What is a Nerve Disease?

Diabetes is a disease that can damage any nerve throughout the body. This usually happens when the blood sugar and blood pressure are chronically high.

The nerve is responsible for regulating many organ systems. Nerve problems may lead to the following:

• Erectile Dysfunction
• Digestion Problems
• Foot problems

What is Peripheral Neuropathy?

The lower extremities particularly the feet are more commonly affected compared to the hands. When the nerves are damaged, this condition is called peripheral neuropathy.

Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy:

• Pain  
• Tingling 
• Loss of feeling 

The loss of feeling is very important since most diabetics can become injured and still won’t notice it. The delay in noticing the injury can lead to infections. Worst case scenario would be foot or leg amputations.

Compared to normal persons, diabetics have a 25% greater chance of amputation. But this risk could be lowered and even be prevented if one proactively manages their diabetes. Aside from regularly examining their feet, good sugar control is often lifesaving. 

Once complications have occurred and a foot has been amputated, the remaining leg could still be saved through close monitoring and follow-up from a multidisciplinary foot team. 

Diabetic neuropathy vs peripheral neuropathy, what is the difference?

Diabetic neuropathy is the impairment of the function of nerves throughout the body. This results in a change in voluntary, motor, and sensory functions of the body. 

Peripheral neuropathy in contrast is the most common form of diabetic neuropathy. Instead of affecting all the nerves, it typically affects the outer nerves of the feet.  This type of neuropathy affects the sensory function which leads to no sense of feeling or progressive numbness in the feet. 

Numbness or loss of feeling is the initiating factor for the development of ulcers or diabetic foot.

What is Diabetic Foot?

Here are the latest statistics:

• It is found out that in some places around the world, every 30 seconds, a lower limb is lost to amputation due to diabetes.
• Diabetic foot has affected 40 to 60 million people globally.
• 40-70% of all extremity amputations are all related to diabetes. 
• 85% of diabetes-related amputations start with foot ulcers.

High blood glucose is the main culprit as to why nerves get damaged. When a nerve gets injured, it often goes unnoticed until some ulcerations and infections happen. When this continues this becomes the breeding ground for foot ulcers. 

Diabetic Foot Symptoms:

• Changes in skin color
• Changes in skin temperature
• Swelling in the foot or ankle
• Pain in the legs
• Open sores on the feet that are slow to heal 
• Ingrown toenails or toenails infected with fungus
• Calluses
• Dry cracks in the skin especially around the heal
• Unusual foot odor

The development of diabetic foot does not only results in amputation, it can also change the way we live. This complication is responsible for the economic, social, and public health burden.

What is Diabetic Eye Disease 

This eye disease caused by diabetes is now the leading cause of blindness worldwide. In the United States alone, 50% of their diabetics have diabetic retinopathy. Although data on the prevalence of retinopathy among Filipinos is lacking, it is still expected to increase over the next 20 years.

Common Diabetic Eyes Symptoms 

• Spots or dark strings floating in your visions (floaters)
• Blurred vision
• Fluctuating vision
• Impaired color vision
• Dark or empty areas in your vision
• Vision loss

Everyone with diabetes is at risk of losing vision. However, early diagnosis coupled with timely treatment can prevent the onset of sight impairment and even blindness.

It has also been shown that an improvement in diabetes control can slow down the progression of eye disease. Results are evident most especially if started as soon as diabetes is diagnosed.

The diabetic eye disease is composed of:

• Diabetic retinopathy
• Diabetic macular edema
• Cataract and glaucoma
• Double Vision
• Inability to focus

Diabetic retinopathy is a form of eye disease that reduces vision and may lead to blindness. The two main causes of retinopathy are persistently high blood sugar and high blood pressure and cholesterol levels. 

Diabetic retinopathy is one of the leading causes of blindness in the working-age population. This disease is due to persistently high blood glucose leading to the damage of the retinal capillaries as a result of capillary leakage and blockage. 

Like with other diabetic complications, diabetic retinopathy can be prevented by controlling not only blood glucose but as well as blood pressure and lipids. This can be achieved by strict implementation of a healthy lifestyle and proper compliance to medications.

Preventing Complications

A good way of preventing complications is to keep a blood glucose range close to normal. It has been shown to reduce the occurrence of complications such as diabetic neuropathy and retinopathy. 

There are numerous ways to attaining good blood sugar control. This is done through close follow-up with your doctor, taking your medications regularly, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Living a clean and healthy lifestyle means eating right, exercising regularly, and actively managing one’s blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Outlined below are some effective ways to keep track of your overall health and how to watch out for complications.

• Monitor blood glucose levels regularly and maintain them at levels as close to normal as possible
• Measure blood pressure regularly
• Measure cholesterol and triglyceride levels at least once a year
• Eye and foot exams or most commonly known as monofilament tests should be done at least once a year.

Interpretation of Questionnaire 

If you answered yes to any one of the questions, please seek immediate consultation with your nearest physician or endocrinologist. A score of at least one (1) needs verification from your doctor.