Bonitas Member Magazine B-Living - Issue 2 | Page 18

Diabetes affects many
aspects of your health
Other health concerns such as depression, obesity and sleep disorders, can have an impact on the
management of diabetes. Since high blood sugar can damage both the large and tiny blood vessels
of the body, uncontrolled diabetes can potentially affect every organ system. This places people
with diabetes at high risk for complications such as nerve damage, eye problems, infections as well
as problems in pregnancy. These complications are known as comorbidities.
Eye problems
Most people with diabetes get some form of retinopathy, a disorder of the retina (the light-sensitive “film”
at the back of the eye). Other common vision problems are cataracts (clouding of the eye) and glaucoma
(increased pressure within the eye). These may even lead to blindness. Diabetes is the third leading cause
of blindness in South Africa with 8 000 new cases of vision impairment every year.
Heart disease and stroke
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in people with diabetes. Diabetics are two to four times more
likely to develop heart disease than non-diabetics. Other cardiovascular problems, like poor circulation to
the legs and feet, are also more likely.
Kidney damage
High blood sugar affects the arteries, and as the kidneys filter blood from many arteries, it raises the risk
for kidney problems. Diabetes is the leading cause of nephropathy (severe kidney disease).
Problems in pregnancy
Poorly managed diabetes before and during pregnancy can cause birth defects, miscarriages and abnormal
birth weight.
Infections
High blood sugar may make it harder for the immune system to fight infections. Gum diseases, among
several other infectious illnesses, are more likely.
Nerve damage
Prolonged exposure to high glucose levels can damage the nerves (neuropathy). Diabetic peripheral
neuropathy is the most common complication of diabetes mellitus, affecting up to 50% of patients. This
is experienced as numbness or tingling in the feet or hands. People with neuropathy often don’t perceive
pain or changes of bodily position well. You may not notice injuries, especially of the feet, and continue to
place weight on the affected area. This, together with poor circulation, raises your risk for developing foot
ulcers. In the worst cases, unhealed ulcers lead to leg and foot amputations.
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B-Living Issue 2, 2017