Diabetes – long-term effects – Better Health Channel

Diabetes is a condition in which there is too much glucose (a type of sugar) in the blood. Over time, high blood glucose levels can damage the body's organs. Possible complications include damage to large (macrovascular) and small (microvascular) blood vessels, which can lead to heart attack, stroke, and problems with the kidneys, eyes, gums, feet and nerves.Reducing risk of diabetes complicationsThe good news is that the risk of most diabetes-related complications can be reduced by keeping blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol levels within recommended range. Also, being a healthy weight, eating healthily, reducing alcohol intake, and not smoking will help reduce your risk.

Regular check-ups and screening are important to pick up any problems early

Enjoy a variety of foods from each food group be sure to include foods high in fibre and low in fat, and reduce your salt intake. Its helpful to consult with a dietitian to review your current eating plan and provide a guide about food choices and food quantities.

It can be daunting trying to lose weight, so to get started set yourself a short-term achievable goal. Try thinking about the food you are eating, whether you really need it, if it's a healthy choice, and consider the portion size.

If you are unable to do physical activity such as walking, swimming or gym work, then consider water aerobics, chair exercises or strength resistance training with light weights.

Check with your doctor if you are not sure whether the exercise you are planning to do is suitable or if you have a medical condition that may prevent you from doing certain types of physical activity.

Smoking is the greatest single lifestyle risk factor for developing diabetes complications. Smoking can undo all the benefits gained by weight loss, healthy eating, good blood glucose and blood pressure control.

Smoking affects circulation by increasing heart rate and blood pressure, and by making small blood vessels narrower. Smoking also makes blood cells and blood vessel walls sticky, and allows dangerous fatty material to build up. This can lead to heart attack, stroke and other blood vessel disease.

People with diabetes who smoke have higher blood glucose levels and less control over their diabetes than non-smokers with diabetes.

You can help pick up problems early by having regular checks of your:

Keeping your blood glucose levels within the recommended range can help reduce your risk of long-term diabetes-related health problems. Speak to your doctor or diabetes educator if you are unsure of your recommended blood glucose levels.

Your doctor or diabetes nurse educator may advise you to check your blood glucose levels at home depending on your individual management plan. Regular measuring of your blood glucose levels gives you information about how medication, food, exercise, illness and stress affect your diabetes.

HbA1c is a measurement of how much glucose has attached to your red blood cells over a three-month period. It is a direct measurement of your risk of long-term diabetes-related health problems.

Its recommended that you measure your HbA1c levels at least every year, but they may need to be checked every three to six months. Both HbA1c and blood glucose monitoring are important ways to assess your diabetes management.

The goal for HbA1c for most people with diabetes is no more than 53 mmol/mol or seven per cent. However, recommended ranges can vary depending on the person, for example, with children, frail elderly people, pregnant women, or the type of diabetes and its management.

Have a cholesterol and triglyceride test at least once a year. Aim for total cholesterol less than 4.0 mmol/L and triglycerides less than 2.0 mmol/L.

There are a number of causes of high cholesterol, including your family history and your diet. Too much saturated fat in your diet can increase the LDL (bad) cholesterol in your blood and result in the build-up of plaque in your blood vessels.

Foods high in saturated fats include full-fat dairy products, fatty meats, pastries, biscuits, cakes, coconut cream or coconut milk, palm oil and fatty take-away foods.

The most common long-term diabetes-related health problems are:

Other parts of the body can also be affected by diabetes, including the digestive system, the skin, sexual organs, teeth and gums, and the immune system.

Cardiovascular disease includes blood vessel disease, heart attack and stroke. It is the leading cause of death in Australia.

The risk of cardiovascular disease is greater for people with diabetes, who often have increased cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Smoking, having a family history of cardiovascular disease and being inactive also increase your risk.

To reduce your risk and pick up any problems early:

Diabetes-related eye problems include:

While most people who have damage to the eyes have no symptoms in the earlier stages, there are certain symptoms that may occur and these need urgent review. If you have flashes of light, floaters, blots and dots or part of your vision missing, see your doctor immediately.

Everyone with diabetes should have a professional eye examination by an ophthalmologist or optometrist when they are first diagnosed, and then at least every two years after that (children usually start this screening five years after diagnosis or at puberty).

It is important that you inform the person checking your eyes that you have diabetes. If retinopathy or another abnormality is found, eye tests will be required every year, or more frequently if advised by your ophthalmologist.

People with diabetes are at risk of kidney disease(nephropathy) due to changes in the small blood vessels of the kidneys. Kidney disease is painless and does not cause symptoms until it is advanced.

Screening is very important. Kidney damage can be diagnosed early by checking for microalbumin (very small amounts of protein) in the urine at least once a year. Your doctor will also check your kidney function, including estimated glomerular filtration rate (e-GFR), with a blood test.

If problems are picked up early, nephropathy can be slowed or prevented with the right treatment. Medication called ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor antagonists help to protect the kidneys from further damage. These tablets can also be used to treat high blood pressure.

Nerve damage (neuropathy) is usually caused by high blood glucose levels, although similar nerve damage can also result from:

Damage can occur to the sensory (feeling) and motor (movement) nerves of the legs and feet, arms, hands, chest and stomach, and to the nerves that control the actions of body organs.

To help prevent nerve damage:

Better Health Channel has more information about diabetic neuropathy.

The feet of someone with diabetes are at risk of damage when the blood supply in both large and small blood vessels is reduced. Nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy) often results and problems to the structure of the foot can also occur for example, clawed toes.

Reduced blood supply and nerve function can delay healing, increase the risk of infection, reduce feeling in the feet, and lead to ulcers and structural foot problems.

Look after your feet by:

People with diabetes may experience very dry skin due to damage to the small blood vessels and nerves. A common problem for people with diabetes is very dry skin on the feet.

There are also other skin conditions related to diabetes. High blood glucose levels over time can affect the health of the skin. The skin acts as a barrier to protect our bodies from infection so it is important to keep the skin as healthy as possible. If the skin becomes dry, it can lead to cracks and possibly infections.

To reduce the risk of skin problems:

People with poorly managed diabetes are at increased risk of tooth decay and gum infections. This is because the small blood vessels that help nourish your teeth and gums can become damaged. (Dental and gum infections can also lead to high blood glucose levels.)

Not looking after your teeth and gums can cause the gums to become inflamed and loosen around your teeth. Poor oral care is also strongly linked with an increased risk of heart disease.

To reduce your risk of teeth and gum problems:

Living with and managing either type 1 or type 2 diabetes can lead to stress, anxiety and depression. This can affect your blood glucose levels and how you manage your diabetes in general. Over time, this can affect your health.

It is important to talk to your doctor if you are going through times of stress, depression or anxiety. Your doctor can refer you to a counsellor, psychologist or psychiatrist by providing a diabetes mental health plan. This is Medicare rebated.

Other help is available, including:

You can find more information about diabetes and mental health at Diabetes Victoria.

Diabetes, particularly type 2, has been linked with Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. Brain changes, resulting from reduced blood supply to the brain over time, appear to be associated with an increased risk for development of these conditions.

Your immune system helps to prevent and fight infection. High blood glucose levels slow down the white blood cells, which help fight infection. This makes it more difficult for the immune system to do its job.

Support your immune system and reduce your risk of infection by:

People with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes are at increased risk of thyroid disease. This includes both overactive and underactive thyroid. Thyroid disorders can affect general health and may affect blood glucose levels.

Thyroid function is assessed by a blood test. Talk to your doctor to see if you have had your thyroid function checked.

Reduced blood supply and nerve damage can affect sexual function. Erectile dysfunction (impotence) in men is the persistent inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance. This is a common problem for men of all ages and is more common in men with diabetes.

Erectile dysfunction is not a disease, but a symptom of some other problem physical, psychological or a mixture of both. Most cases of erectile dysfunction are physical, such as nerve or blood vessel damage.

In women, sexual dysfunction is also reported, although there is a lack of research in this area. It is difficult to know whether this is directly related to hormonal changes such as menopause, or to diabetes.

It is important to seek help from your doctor, diabetes educator or organisations such as Andrology Australia.

Remember, you dont have to manage your diabetes on your own. There are health professionals available to help you.

Here is the original post:
Diabetes - long-term effects - Better Health Channel