If your diabetes is not treated, it can lead to many different health problems. Large amounts of glucose can damage blood vessels, nerves and organs. Even a mildly raised glucose level that does not cause any symptoms can have damaging effects in the long term.
Heart disease and stroke
If you have diabetes, you are up to five times more likely to have heart disease and a stroke than someone without diabetes. Prolonged, poorly controlled blood glucose levels increase the likelihood of atherosclerosis (furring and narrowing of the blood vessels). This may result in poor blood supply to the heart, causing angina. It also increases the chance that a blood vessel in your heart or brain will become completely blocked, causing a heart attack or stroke.
Nerve damage
High blood glucose levels can damage the tiny blood vessels of your nerves. This can lead to a tingling or burning pain that spreads from your fingers and toes up through your limbs. If the nerves in your digestive system are affected, you may experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation.
Retinopathy (damage to the retina at the back of the eye)
Blood vessels in the retina of your eye can become blocked, leaky or grow haphazardly. This prevents the light from fully passing through to your retina. If left untreated, it can damage your vision.
The better you control your blood sugar levels, the less chance you have of developing serious eye problems. Having an annual eye check by a specialist (an ophthalmologist or an optometrist) can help pick up signs of any potentially serious eye problems early on, so that they can be treated.
If it is caught early enough, diabetic retinopathy can be treated using laser treatment. However, this will only preserve the sight you have and will not make it better.
Kidney disease
If the small blood vessels of your kidney become blocked and leaky, your kidneys will work less efficiently. In rare, severe cases this can lead to kidney failure and the need for a kidney transplant.
Foot problems
Damage to the nerves of the foot can mean that small nicks and cuts are not noticed, leading to the development of a foot ulcer. About 1 person in 10 with diabetes gets a foot ulcer, which can cause serious infection.
Check your feet every day and report any changes to your doctor, nurse or podiatrist. Look out for sores and cuts that do not heal, puffiness or swelling, and skin that feels hot to the touch. Have a foot examination at least once a year.
Sexual dysfunction
In men with diabetes (especially those who smoke), damage to the nerves and blood vessels can lead to erection problems. This may be treated with medication.
Women with diabetes may experience a reduced sex drive, reduced pleasure from sex, lack of vaginal lubrication, reduced ability to orgasm or painful sex. Women with a lack of vaginal lubrication or painful sex may find a vaginal lubricant or water-based gel helpful.
Miscarriage and stillbirth
Pregnant women with diabetes have an increased risk of miscarriage and stillbirth. If blood sugar levels are not carefully controlled in the early stages of pregnancy, there is an increased risk of the baby developing a serious birth defect.
Pregnant women with diabetes will usually have their antenatal check-ups in hospital or in a diabetic clinic, where healthcare professionals can keep a close eye on their blood sugar levels.
Want to know more?
