Sometimes complications develop even when risk factors such
as blood sugar level and blood pressure have been controlled. Following your
treatment to control your blood sugar levels is still an important aspect of
your treatment.
The most common serious complications from
diabetes are
coronary artery disease (CAD) and
stroke, kidney failure, blindness, and foot disease.
All diabetes complications can require specialized medical treatment depending
on their severity. Some of these conditions, such as CAD, may be adequately
managed by your primary care doctor. If the disease progresses, you may need to
see a specialist.
CAD
Your doctor will monitor your heart closely-all
people with diabetes are at risk for CAD. There are many diagnostic tests that
can be used to determine the danger posed by this condition. These tools can
all be used to diagnose the presence of either arterial blockages near your
heart or damage to your heart because of poor blood flow.
If you
are age 40 or older, talk to your health professional about taking a low-dose
aspirin daily to help prevent
heart attack, stroke, or other large blood vessel
disease (macrovascular disease).1
If you have had a heart attack, your doctor will
treat your condition with medicines,
angioplasty, or coronary bypass surgery. There is some
evidence that coronary bypass surgery may be a better option than angioplasty
for people with diabetes.2
Stroke
If you have a stroke, your doctor will
prescribe treatments designed to help you recover with the least amount of
disability. The sooner you recognize that you are having a stroke, the earlier
you can seek treatment and decrease your chances of having severe
effects.
Kidney failure
If you develop kidney failure, your
treatment will include
dialysis or a kidney transplant.
Vision loss
If you experience vision loss, you can
use magnifiers, large-print materials, or assistive devices to enhance your
remaining vision. If you become blind, your doctor will refer you to your local
or state organization for the visually impaired.
Foot problems
If you have a foot infection, your
doctor may prescribe an antibiotic, regular wound care by a podiatrist,
negative-pressure wound therapy (sometimes called "vacuum-assisted closure"),
non-weight-bearing activities, and sometimes a cast. The deeper the wound
(ulcer), the more difficult it is to treat, meaning that you may need higher
doses of antibiotics for a longer period of time. An infection of the skin is
easier to treat than an infection that has spread to the bone
(osteomyelitis).
A lack of good blood flow to your feet creates
another major obstacle in your body's ability to heal. Regular exercise may
improve circulation by stimulating development of blood vessels. You may need
an angioplasty or vascular bypass surgery. In a vascular bypass, the surgeon
takes a blood vessel from another area of your body and connects it above and
below the blockage to reroute the blood to the affected area.
If
bacteria from a foot infection invade your blood, they can cause a whole-body
condition known as sepsis, which can be fatal. To prevent sepsis, your doctor
may recommend surgery to remove infected tissue. If the infection has spread
into your bones, your doctor may recommend amputation of the infected area.
Amputation is only done if there is no hope of saving the infected area or the
infection threatens to spread to the rest of your body.
