Complications
If diabetes is untreated or managed improperly, complications
such as anxiety, depression, eye damage, heart disease, stroke,
high blood pressure, kidney disease, nerve damage, and
erectile dysfunction 11 may arise.
Eye damage can occur among those people living with
diabetes. The retina is at risk of weakening, which leads to
blood vessels either leaking or breaking. Retinopathy is the
most common cause of blindness in individuals under the age
of sixty-five and it affects more than two million people in
Canada, most of whom have diabetes 12 .
High blood pressure causes stress on the body, which can in
turn damage the heart, kidneys, or eyes 13 . People living with
diabetes are much more likely to develop heart disease or
experience a stroke at a younger age than those who do not
have the disease. As a result it is a good idea to have your
blood pressure checked every time you visit your health care
provider if you have diabetes.
In the case of prediabetes, research has shown that
complications, such as heart disease and nerve damage, can
begin to develop early.
The good news is that many complications can be delayed
or prevented by being aware, knowing your risks, and being
monitored by a health care professional. More importantly,
eating a balanced diet along with regular physical activity will
help stabilize blood sugars and go a long way in preventing or
delaying the onset of complications.
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