Complications of Diabetes and Prevention

Introduction/Background

Diabetes mellitus is simply a long-term medical condition characterized by elevated blood sugar levels with associated disorders of carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism.

This is due to absolute and/or relative deficiency of insulin – a hormone which is normally produced in the pancreas.

Furthermore, quite a number of types of diabetes mellitus have been identified viz type 1 (otherwise known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and commoner in the young), type 2 (also referred to as non insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and accounts for about 90% of cases).

Gestational Diabetes mellitus is believed to result from pregnancy and its associated body changes. It normally resolves some weeks after pregnancy although it predisposes such women to type 2 diabetes later on.

What are the symptoms that may suggest that you have diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance? Excessive thirst (polydipsia), excessive appetite (polyphagia), excessive urination (polyuria) and weight loss despite increased appetite.

The aforementioned are the classical symptoms. If you have these symptoms, you need to visit your physician early for further evaluation to exclude diabetes mellitus.

It is noteworthy that diabetes mellitus is a disease condition that can be well managed to achieve a good quality of life provided affected individuals are compliant with prescribed medications and clinic visits.

However, late presentation to the hospital or non-compliance with prescribed drugs and clinic visits can lead to various complications (from head to toes).

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These complications can occur in the short-term or long-term.

Short-term complications include hyperglycaemic (high blood glucose) crises like Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) and Hyperglycaemic Hyperosmolar State (HHS) as well as hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose) and lactic acidosis.

Long-term complications may affect either the small blood vessels (microvascular) or big vessels (macrovascular).

Complications that affect small blood vessels include diabetic nephropathy (I.e damage to the kidneys), diabetic retinopathy (damage to the eyes) and diabetic neuropathy (damage to nerves).

Complications affecting big blood vessels include stroke (due to brain damage), ischaemic heart disease (heart attack) and peripheral vascular disease (due to damage to peripheral blood vessels)

Prevention of complications

Lifestyle modification is key: Maintain a safe and healthy lifestyle.

Eat healthy i.e avoid junk fatty foods and sugary drinks (e.g pies, doughnuts, ice-cream, coke etc) and consume fresh vegetables, proteins and small quantities of carbohydrates.

Fish is preferable to red meat.

Avoid smoking and excess alcohol.

Regular exercise e.g embarking on moderate exercises like trekking, cycling etc. about 5 times on average per week.

Comply with prescribed medications (insulin, oral hypoglycemic agents, antihypertensives etc) and clinic appointments.

Come to the hospital immediately whenever you have any complaints or feel sick.

Why? Caring for the sick is the reason why hospitals exist in the first place.

Complications of Diabetes and Prevention - Diabetes