Diabetes is a well versed term these days. The lifestyle disorder has almost touched every home on this earth; it is not uncommon to find at least one of the family members struggling hard with the sugary ailment. Though with rising awareness the situation has improved but still experts come across diabetic complications on day to day basis. With each day that passes by the incidence is rising. Here the key lies to be adequately knowledgeable on the subject; often people work on the diabetes but fail to appreciate the aftermaths that may be co existing and leaving irreversible traces.

Cardiovascular complications of diabetes

The major complication is the exaggerated atherosclerosis (thickening of the arteries) that may manifest in form of coronary artery disease leading to ischemic heart disease particularly silent heart attacks. Further intermittent claudication, gangrene and impotence are other areas of grounds that may be possible.

Diabetic nephropathy

It is one of the leading causes of death and diabetes disability. Here the initial stage comprises of the characteristic nephromegaly (enlargement of the kidneys) ad increased filtration rate. The next stage is the excess secretion of protein in the urine. Clinically medicos claim that the situation can be reversed from this stage but after that complete recovery is sceptical to expect. Further the stage continues with excessive protein secretion with falling filtration rate and typical features of nephritic syndrome (painless oedema, puffy face, low serum protein and high cholesterol levels). 

Diabetic retinopathy

This is one of the commonest causes of blindness all over the world. Diabetic lesions evade the entire eye with haemorrhages, dilated vessels, exudates and deposits. Here chances of cataract and glaucoma almost double with diabetes underneath. Here often symptoms appear very late in the progress and experts advise to get the eyes checked timely to escape odds. Simply never keep waiting for the negative to come in be prepared and combat form the very beginning.

Diabetic neuropathy

This variety has been further classified under symmetric distal polyneuropathy, asymmetric neuropathy and autonomic neuropathy.   Here the symmetric one is a painful form presenting with burning dull aching sensations or excruciating pain. The pain is worse at night and is partially relieved with movement.  Numbness, tingling pin needle sensations are marked. The type is generally irreversible with weakness and wasting of muscles.      

Asymmetric neuropathy usually includes pupil sparing, carpal tunnel syndrome, foot drop, wrist drop with anorexia and depression. Also atrophy / wasting of the muscles of the thighs are commonly observed.

Autonomic neuropathy acts on the various body systems and present variedly depending on the concerned niche. Cardiovascular includes increased pulse with sudden cardiac death. Digestive tract may present with diarrhoea, constipation, immobility and incontinence. Papillary response will present as decreased pupil size and resistance to mydriatics.

Dermatological complications

With diabetes in co existence skin too gives enough grounds for complications with the foremost symptom of delayed healing of wounds. Further skin infections, vaginal candidiasis, necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum may be seen.

If you have someone near struggling with the lifestyle disorder then do inform and pass them every bit of knowledge you have for a better disease free future.