Living with diabetes is becoming easier thanks to better treatments and innovative tools. Even so, diabetes can still lead to health problems if blood sugar levels are not well managed.
At Banner Health, we’re here to help you understand the possible complications of diabetes and take steps to prevent or delay them. Knowing what to watch for can help you protect your health and live well with diabetes.
Diabetes is a condition that affects how your body uses glucose, or sugar, in the blood. Glucose is an important source of energy, but it needs insulin to move from the bloodstream into the body’s cells.
Diabetes occurs when the body:
There are several types of diabetes. The most common are type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Gestational diabetes can occur during pregnancy. Prediabetes means blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet in the diabetes range.
When blood sugar stays too high for too long, it can damage blood vessels and nerves throughout the body. This damage may happen slowly over time or appear suddenly.
Diabetes complications generally fall into two categories:
Regular blood sugar monitoring and ongoing care help reduce the risk of both.
Acute diabetes complications can develop quickly and may require urgent medical attention.
Hypoglycemia happens when blood sugar levels drop too low. It can occur if you take too much medication, delay meals or increase physical activity without adjusting treatment.
Symptoms may include:
Hyperglycemia occurs when blood sugar levels become too high. It may happen if insulin or medication doses are missed, meals contain more carbohydrates than usual or during illness or stress.
Symptoms may include:
DKA is a life-threatening emergency that occurs when the body does not have enough insulin and begins breaking down fat for energy, producing harmful acids called ketones.
Symptoms may include:
DKA is more common in people with type 1 diabetes but can occur in others.
HHS is a life-threatening condition that occurs when blood sugar levels become extremely high, leading to severe dehydration. It affects people with type 2 diabetes.
Symptoms may include:
Over time, high blood sugar can damage organs and tissues throughout the body, leading to long-term complications.
Diabetes increases the risk of heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases. High blood sugar damages blood vessels and contributes to plaque buildup in arteries.
Diabetes can damage the nerves that carry signals throughout the body.
Symptoms may include:
Long-term high blood sugar can damage the blood vessels in the kidneys, making it harder to remove waste and excess fluid. This can lead to chronic kidney disease or kidney failure.
High blood sugar can damage blood vessels in the eyes, increasing the risk of:
Nerve damage and poor circulation can lead to foot injuries, ulcers and infections. In severe cases, untreated infections may result in amputation.
High blood sugar can increase bacteria in the mouth, leading to plaque buildup, gum disease, cavities and tooth decay.
Diabetes can slow healing and reduce blood flow to the skin. This increases the risk of skin infections, wounds and other skin conditions.
When one complication develops, others are more likely to follow. For example, damaged blood vessels in the feet may also signal damage in the heart or kidneys.
Risk for complications increases when diabetes is combined with:
Managing these factors is just as important as controlling blood sugar.
Understanding diabetes complications helps you and your health care provider take steps to prevent problems, detect issues early and adjust care when needed.
Regular blood sugar monitoring, along with ongoing medical follow-up and healthy lifestyle habits, can help prevent or delay many diabetes-related complications.
Learn more about the importance of regular blood sugar monitoring and ongoing diabetes care.
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