Diabetes is a serious disease which, if not controlled, can lead to life-threatening complications. Diabetes is responsible for 6.7 million deaths in 2021 – 1 every 5 seconds.
Eye problems can develop such as diabetic retinopathy, the leading cause of blindness in working-age adults. In diabetic retinopathy, high blood sugar damages blood vessels in the retina. Damaged blood vessels can swell and leak, causing blurry vision or stopping blood flow. Sometimes new blood vessels grow, but these are not normal and can cause further vision problems. Diabetic retinopathy usually affects
both eyes.
Diabetes foot problems can lead to amputation if untreated. Nerve damage can affect the feeling in your feet and elevated blood sugar can damage the circulation, making it slower for sores and cuts to heal.
Damaged arteries due to uncontrolled diabetes can lead to heart attack and stroke. People with diabetes are twice as likely to have heart disease or a stroke than someone who doesn’t have diabetes—and at a younger age.
Diabetes can cause damage to your kidneys over a long period of time, leading to diabetic nephropathy or kidney disease.
Long-term high blood sugar levels can damage nerves resulting in neuropathy. This can make it harder for the nerves to carry messages between the brain and every part of our body so it can affect how we see, hear, feel and move.
Longstanding high glucose levels can cause gum disease and other mouth problems. People with diabetes have a higher risk of developing certain cancers.
The lack of insulin and high blood sugar levels can lead to a life-threatening emergency called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Severe dehydration and very high blood sugar levels can lead to a life-threatening emergency called Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State (HHS).
Poorly controlled diabetes can lead to erectile dysfunction (impotence) in men. Women with diabetes are more likely to get thrush (yeast infection) or a urinary tract infection (UTI).
Consult your doctor for more information on how to manage diabetes and prevent its complications.
Shop for your wide range of vitamins, supplements, and other essential healthcare needs. Ask your Watsons pharmacist for prescription medications and Diabetes needs available only in Watsons.
References:
https://diabetesatlas.org/. Accessed 5 November 2022
https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/complications. Accessed 5 November 2022
https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/managing/diabetes-vision-loss.html#:~:text=protecting%20your%20eyesight.,Diabetic%20Retinopathy,the%20back%20of%20the%20eye). Accessed 5 November 2022
https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/library/features/diabetes-and-heart.html#:~:text=If%20you%20have%20diabetes%2C%20you,are%20to%20have%20heart%20disease. Accessed 5 November 2022
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