Diabetes and Other Diseases and Conditions
The U.S. diabetes epidemic is more dangerous than most people realize.
The Center for Disease Control recently indicated that more than 63% of Americans are at risk for diabetes due to them being overweight.
Diabetes not only causes other conditions and symptoms, but also is linked with kidney and cardiovascular diseases.
To prevent complications, it’s important to understand the relationship between diabetes and other diseases.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Retinopathy is a common complication of diabetes that causes decreased and blurry vision, and eventually blindness.
The effect of diabetic retinopathy on vision depends on the stage of the disease.
Diabetes’ effect on the retina is a severe threat, mostly seen in elderly sufferers.
People with diabetes also tend to experience long-term effects on the circulatory system.
As diabetes progresses, the arteries in the retina weaken and form hemorrhages. In later stages of the disease, circulation problems cause areas of the eye to become oxygen-deprived.
Consequently, new vessels develop that hemorrhage easily, and blood may leak into the retina as well.
You will never realize how important your vision is until you experience some type of serious problem!
Obesity
Obesity and diabetes are scientifically proven to be directly linked.
Obesity is a direct cause of Type II Diabetes.
Obesity is dangerous because an excessive proportion of body fat causes elevated blood glucose levels.
The human body manufactures insulin after every meal to alert cells that higher levels of glucose are on the way.
Type II Diabetes sufferers cannot use this insulin hormone.
When insulin isn’t used properly, the body can’t digest food correctly, hence increasing the risk of additional weight gain, as well as diabetes.
Kidney Disease/Kidney Failure
Diabetes affects many parts of the body. According to the National Kidney Foundation, diabetic kidney disease results from injured small blood vessels in the body.
When blood vessels in the kidneys are injured, the kidneys cannot clean the blood properly.
At this point, the human body retains more water and salt than it should (which results in weight gain and ankle swelling).
In addition, protein appears in the urine and waste materials accumulate in the blood.
In addition, Type II Diabetes can cause nerve damage which can result in urination problems.
The pressure resulting from a full bladder can back up and injure the kidneys. When urine remains in the bladder for too long, the high levels of sugar can cause the rapid growth of bacteria, resulting in an infection.
Heart Disease & Stroke
The American Diabetes Association says two-thirds of people with Type II Diabetes die from heart disease and stroke.
As such, diabetes and heart disease work in tandem – and people with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing heart disease.
A person with diabetes has higher than normal blood sugar levels.
These high blood sugar levels can damage many parts of the body, including blood vessels.
Heart disease is a direct result of narrowed or blocked blood vessels that lead to the heart. Hence, increased blood sugar levels, common with Type II Diabetes sufferers, causes increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
Breast Cancer
Scientists have investigated the possible relationship between breast cancer and diabetes and suggested that high levels of insulin increase the risk of breast cancer.
Since many factors, such as obesity, increase the risk of both breast cancer and diabetes, it’s been difficult for scientists to determine if diabetes itself is the issue.
However, research indicates that women with diabetes have a 20% higher risk of breast cancer than women without diabetes.
Foot Problems
Of the 16 million Americans with diabetes, more than 25% will develop foot problems due to the disease.
Diabetic foot problems develop from a combination of factors, including poor circulation and neuropathy.
Diabetic neuropathy causes an insensitivity to feel pain, heat, and cold.
As a result, people with diabetes may be unaware they have developed minor cuts, scrapes, blisters or pressure sores.
If these minor injuries are left untreated, complications may result, leading to ulceration and possibly even amputation.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)
CTS is another common complication of diabetic neuropathy.
Because of the decreased or distorted nerve function, a patient’s ability to feel nerve sensation is lessened.
Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include numbness, tingling, weakness, and burning sensations, usually beginning in the fingers and toes and progressing to the arms and legs.
All of the conditions listed above are related to diabetes, and are becoming growing concerns for Americans.
Awareness of these associated diseases will hopefully lead to better prevention, such as a healthy diet and exercise.
