Can I get complications if I control my Diabetes?

High blood sugar for a few days may not create lots of problem but if high sugar remains for some time chronic complications set in. We are concerned about the eyes, kidneys and the nerves.

Circulation can be a problem with diabetes and that’s why the problem with the heart (angina, heart attack), Brain (stroke) and leg (diabetic foot) are common in Diabetes.

What are the organs that can be damaged by Diabetes?

High blood sugar for a few days may not create lots of problem but if high sugar remains for some time chronic complications set in. We are concerned about the eyes, kidneys and the nerves.

Circulation can be a problem with diabetes and that’s why the problem with the heart (angina, heart attack), Brain (stroke) and leg (diabetic foot) are common in Diabetes. 

Why people with Diabetes develop foot problem?

Foot problem can be there for three reasons. The first and the most common is Diabetes affecting the nerves so that you don’t feel the pain when you get hurt or pricked. The unnoticed and uncared wound gets deeper and bigger.

The next is Diabetes affecting the circulation so that blood supply becomes less and the wound does not heal. Lack of circulation can also cause gangrene.

The other one, as you will know, Diabetes reduces the resistance to infection, so the wound gets infected and does not heal.

What are the warning signs of Diabetic foot?

There are certain features when patient with Diabetes should consult doctor without wasting time. They are redness, unusual pain, ulcer or cut, swelling and change of colour.

Delay in getting treatment may lead to septic or gangrene.

How to check for Diabetic Kidney?

At the beginning you may not have symptoms, so the only way is to check for it. The simple things are to check urine for protein and blood for creatinine. Protein starts leaking in urine when the kidneys are affected with Diabetes and we have treatment available now for this.

What is the relation between Diabetes and BP or Cholesterol?

Adult (or type 2) Diabetes is very often associated with high blood pressure, blood cholesterol and obesity. This is called Metabolic Syndrome. For complete management we should look from all these angles.

What is the target BP in Diabetes?

Target BP is less than 140/90 mmHg, we should be taking good effort to keep BP normal as it is clear from the current medical research that BP control in people with Diabetes is equally if not more important than controlling Diabetes.

Is heart attack or stroke common in Diabetes?

Heart attack is at least five times more common in people with Diabetes than without and stroke four times. This is because circulation is affected in Diabetes and unfortunately this happens all over the body.

We are concerned for three organs mainly; the compromise of circulation in the heart gives rise to angina or heart attack. Similar problem in brain would give rise to stroke and in the feet would result into gangrene.

What is Neuropathy?

Pathology of the nerve is called neuropathy and Diabetes is the commonest cause of neuropathy. Diabetes may cause positive or negative symptoms, positive symptoms means nerves are irritated and you have pain.

Typically, the pain is common at rest and more at night, often responsible for a sleepless night. We have treatment available for this but controlling  Diabetes in a similar situation is very important and actually, in such a situation Insulin works better and if you are on a tablet, you can think of starting Insulin for a while. Taking vitamin tablet for this in most of the cases are of no help.

Negative symptoms or lack of sensation, feeling numb are due to nerves not working anymore and in most of the cases, this is permanent.