Vision Problems and Diabetes.

Because people with diabetes may develop vision loss or even blindness from a number of eye diseases caused by diabetes, it is very important for you to have regular eye exams if you have diabetes. Eye diseases that can develop in people with diabetes include cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy--a condition affecting the eye's blood vessels.

The longer a person has diabetes, the greater the risk of diabetic retinopathy. Almost half of all people with diabetes will develop some degree of diabetic retinopathy, which often has no symptoms in its early stages.

People who do not have diabetes can also develop cataracts and glaucoma, but those with diabetes are twice as likely to get a cataract and they usually develop them at an earlier age.

If you have diabetes, you can greatly reduces your risk of developing an eye disease by keeping your blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible, and by having your eyes examined at least once a year.
Nervous System Complications and Diabetes
Over time, diabetes can damage nerves. This condition is called diabetic neuropathy, and is found more often in:

• smokers
• people over 40
• people with problems controlling their blood glucose levels

The symptoms of diabetic neuropathy vary widely. Symptoms are slight at first, typically with numbness and tingling in the feet, but mild cases may go unnoticed for a long time. Neuropathy may cause both pain and insensitivity to pain in the same person. In some people, the onset of pain may be sudden and severe, and in some cases can cause severe disability.

Kidney Disease and Diabetes
While most people with diabetes experience some degree of damage to their kidneys, most people with diabetes do not develop severe kidney damage. Furthermore, some of the factors that combine to lead to kidney disease can be modified. It is not fully understood how various factors can combine to lead to kidney disease, but these factors include heredity, diet, and certain medical conditions, such as blood pressure and high levels of blood sugar. Controlling your blood sugar and blood pressure, and eating a healthy diabetes diet will help you protect your kidneys from damage.
Heart Disease and Diabetes
The risk of developing heart disease is two to four times higher in people with type 2 diabetes than in those without diabetes, because diabetes causes abnormalities in the cells that line the blood vessels and in the blood's clotting ability. Diabetics are also less likely to survive a heart attack, and suffer more heart failure. The risk of developing heart disease is equal for diabetic men and women.

However, maintaining a healthy blood pressure, healthy cholesterol levels, and very strict blood sugar control can greatly reduce these medical complications

Stroke and Diabetes
Stroke is twice as common in diabetics after adjusting for other risk factors. The most important component of stroke prevention if you are diabetic is to treat high blood pressure. It is especially important that you take any high blood pressure medication exactly as your primary healthcare practitioner directs you.

Circulatory Problems and Diabetes
Diabetics often have circulatory problems that can cause blood to pool in their lower extremities. This is called peripheral vascular disease, and the condition may cause a dulled perception of vibration, pain, and temperature in the lower extremities. In extreme cases it can even affect a person's sexual function, urinary control, and gastrointestinal system. Diabetics who maintain a healthy blood sugar level can help alleviate or eliminate many of these problems.

Feet
If you suffer from diabetes, you should inspect your feet daily for reddened areas, blisters, abrasions, and lacerations, especially if your foot is no longer sensitive to stimulation. The incidence of gangrene of the feet, which can be caused by decreased blood flow and neurological disease resulting from diabetes, is 20 times higher in diabetics than in those without the disease. Since foot injuries can easily result when there is a lack of sensitivity in the feet, diabetics should cut toenails straight across, not walk barefoot, and avoid tight shoes.

Oral Health
People with diabetes who have poor blood sugar control are more likely to develop periodontal disease because elevated blood sugar levels can result in the thickening of blood vessels in the mouth. This decreases blood flow to the gums so that they do not receive enough oxygen. High glucose levels in the mouth also make it easier for bacteria to grow and to attack the gums. However, if you keep your diabetes under control and practice good oral hygiene, you can protect your teeth from periodontal disease.