Type 2 diabetes can result in various complications, most of which you have to deal with for the long term. These complications develop over time, and more often than not, you may not notice any symptoms in the early stages.
So, even when you feel fine, if you’re at a high risk of getting this disease, you must take extra care to prevent or delay its complications. This can be done through keeping a healthy weight, eating a proper diet, and keeping your blood pressure, glucose, and cholesterol levels within the normal ranges.
It also means getting early treatment if any symptoms become apparent. Don’t forget to get regular check-ups and screening as well because they can help you pick up any problems early.
Let’s take a look at the potential long-term complications of type 2 diabetes.
Heart Disease and Stroke
If you have diabetes, you’re at twice the risk of heart disease or stroke than those without diabetes. This is because, with diabetes, it’s harder to control your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which hampers proper blood flow and causes blood vessel problems.
Most strokes happen because there’s a blood clot in the brain’s blood vessels. Having diabetes makes it much harder to manage blood sugar, which can damage and clog arteries.
Vision Problems
Diabetes can also result in eye problems, even blindness. Your vision can be impaired when excessive blood sugar resulting from diabetes damages blood vessels in the retina, which is known as diabetic retinopathy. It can lead to cataracts or clouding of the lens and glaucoma, if there is an increased fluid pressure buildup in the eye.
Kidney Disease
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) can also be a result of diabetes. Kidneys can be damaged because of high blood sugar levels. In serious cases, the kidneys may completely fail to work, so there may be the need for regular dialysis to filter the blood or a kidney transplant.
Nerve Damage
Diabetes can result in nerve damage or neuropathy. It’s one of the most common diabetes complications and is characterized by numbness, tingling, burning, and pain, mostly in the feet and legs.
Nerve damage can also affect blood vessels, heart, and digestion. In men, neuropathy can also result in erectile dysfunction.
Skin Infections
When you have diabetes, you’re more prone to skin infections and sores, including foot ulcers. It can result in pain, itching, or oozing in the legs and feet, but it can also occur in other areas of the body. If the infections go on for too long, the infected part may need to be amputated.
Digestion Problems
Diabetes can affect the digestive system and result in gastroparesis. It makes it hard to digest the food that you eat, which then affects your bowel movement.
High blood sugar levels that persist for a period can damage the vagus nerve, which controls the movement of food through the digestive tract. If the vagus nerve stops working, it takes longer for your stomach to empty its contents.
You might experience vomiting, nausea, heartburn, bloating, and stomach spasms. Because food absorption becomes less predictable, it also makes managing your blood glucose levels even more difficult.
Weak Immune System
Diabetes can weaken your immune system and make it less effective. This happens because high blood sugar levels put extra stress on your body, making your systems work harder. The resulting reduced function includes the white blood cells, which are essential to disease prevention. If you have a weak immune system, you’re more prone to common infections, which can then lead to serious complications.
Depression
Depression and diabetes may also be linked as diabetics often develop depression and other mental health problems. If you have diabetes, you’re more likely to get stressed and anxious because having the disease itself is emotionally draining.
Tooth Decay and Gum Disease
Diabetes can cause damage to small blood vessels, including the ones that help nourish your teeth and gums. This can result in tooth decay and gum infections. Additionally, high blood sugar levels encourage bacteria to grow and stay in your gums. You might notice your gums receding or the bones supporting your teeth weakening.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is another complication that you might experience if you have type 2 diabetes. When you’re asleep, your breathing pauses, resulting in loud snoring and daytime fatigue. You might also wake up coughing or choking.
Sleep apnea makes it harder to control your blood glucose level and leads to high blood pressure and heart disease. It may also cause sudden death.
In Summary
Diabetes can result in many long-term complications, but if you take precautionary measures and preventive steps, you can avoid or delay the negative effects. Remember that your actions are the biggest factor in the management of your diabetes. So, don’t forget to eat healthily, exercise, take your medications, and visit your doctor regularly for checkups.
