Why is the risk of blood vessel diseases increased so much in diabetes? Basic Information
There are several reasons why the risk of vascular diseases, such as heart attack, stroke, and diseases of the vessels in the limbs (peripheral vascular disease), is increased in both types of diabetes. The weight gain and lack of exercise common in people with type 2 diabetes lead to other conditions such as abnormal cholesterol levels and high blood pressure, which are potent causes of vascular disease.
WHAT IS DIABETIC NEPHROPATHY ? QUESTION 34
What is diabetic nephropathy? Basic Information
DIABETIC NEPHROPATHY - WHAT WE NEED TO KNOW
Diabetic nephropathy is the term used to describe kidney damage that occurs in diabetes, usually of longstanding. The damage to the kidney in diabetes can result from the high blood sugar itself, which leads to an expansion of certain types of material in the filtering mechanism of the kidney.
This expansion damages the delicate cells responsible for filtering waste materials through the kidney. Eventually, there are abnormal pressures and changes in the important electrical balance in this complex structure.
DIABETIC NEPHROPATHY - WHAT WE NEED TO KNOW
Diabetic nephropathy is the term used to describe kidney damage that occurs in diabetes, usually of longstanding. The damage to the kidney in diabetes can result from the high blood sugar itself, which leads to an expansion of certain types of material in the filtering mechanism of the kidney.
This expansion damages the delicate cells responsible for filtering waste materials through the kidney. Eventually, there are abnormal pressures and changes in the important electrical balance in this complex structure.
WHAT IS DIABETIC RETINOPATHY? QUESTION 33
What is diabetic retinopathy? Basic Information
DIABETIC RETINOPATHY - WHAT WE SHOULD KNOW
Diabetic retinopathy is damage to the eye that results from chronically untreated or inadequately treated high blood sugar. In its more advanced form, it can result in severe visual loss or blindness if untreated, and this can occur suddenly without warning.
DIABETIC RETINOPATHY - WHAT WE SHOULD KNOW
Diabetic retinopathy is damage to the eye that results from chronically untreated or inadequately treated high blood sugar. In its more advanced form, it can result in severe visual loss or blindness if untreated, and this can occur suddenly without warning.
WHAT IS DIABETIC NEUROPATHY? QUESTION 32
What is diabetic neuropathy? Basic Information
DIABETIC NEUROPATHY - WHAT WE SHOULD KNOW
Diabetic neuropathy is the term used to describe the usually chronic damage to nerves that occurs as a result of untreated, or inadequately treated, high blood sugar. It results from a complex sequence of events that leads to damage and destruction of the minute blood vessels that nourish nerves along their course to the region of the body they serve after leaving the spinal canal.
DIABETIC NEUROPATHY - WHAT WE SHOULD KNOW
Diabetic neuropathy is the term used to describe the usually chronic damage to nerves that occurs as a result of untreated, or inadequately treated, high blood sugar. It results from a complex sequence of events that leads to damage and destruction of the minute blood vessels that nourish nerves along their course to the region of the body they serve after leaving the spinal canal.
WHAT IS DIABETIC COMA? QUESTION 31
What is diabetic coma? Basic Information
DIABETIC COMA - WHAT WE SHOULD KNOW
Diabetic coma is loss of consciousness occurring as a result of very high blood sugar. Its causes are similar in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, but with the important difference that other abnormalities of the blood chemistry may contribute to the coma in type 1 diabetes.
DIABETIC COMA - WHAT WE SHOULD KNOW
Diabetic coma is loss of consciousness occurring as a result of very high blood sugar. Its causes are similar in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, but with the important difference that other abnormalities of the blood chemistry may contribute to the coma in type 1 diabetes.
DOES DIABETES PUT ME AT RISK OF ANY OTHER DISEASES OR ILLNESSES? QUESTION 30
30. Does diabetes put me at risk of any other diseases or illnesses?
Aside from the direct consequences of high blood sugar itself, which are discussed in Question 29, people with diabetes are at risk of suffering from other associated diseases. In the case of type 1 diabetes, the diseases either result from the high blood sugar or from the root cause of the diabetes, which is a predisposition to destroy the hormone-producing tissues (called autoimmunity).
Thus, a person with type 1 diabetes is more likely to suffer from adrenal gland damage (Addison’s disease), thyroid gland damage (Graves’ or, much more commonly, Hashimoto’s disease), and several other disorders.
Aside from the direct consequences of high blood sugar itself, which are discussed in Question 29, people with diabetes are at risk of suffering from other associated diseases. In the case of type 1 diabetes, the diseases either result from the high blood sugar or from the root cause of the diabetes, which is a predisposition to destroy the hormone-producing tissues (called autoimmunity).
Thus, a person with type 1 diabetes is more likely to suffer from adrenal gland damage (Addison’s disease), thyroid gland damage (Graves’ or, much more commonly, Hashimoto’s disease), and several other disorders.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN IF MY DIABETES IS NOT PROPERLY TREATED AND CONTROLLED? QUESTION 29
29.What can happen if my diabetes is not properly treated and controlled?
Uncontrolled diabetes, which generally refers to glucose levels that are higher rather than lower than the target range, can lead to immediate short-term and longer term consequences. The short-term consequences result from the very high blood glucose itself, which is described in Question 4.
If severe enough or untreated for long enough, markedly high blood glucose levels can result in coma and ultimately death, due to the severe abnormalities of blood chemistry that occur. It is important to note that only a very small minority of patients with either form of diabetes will die in this way.
Uncontrolled diabetes, which generally refers to glucose levels that are higher rather than lower than the target range, can lead to immediate short-term and longer term consequences. The short-term consequences result from the very high blood glucose itself, which is described in Question 4.
If severe enough or untreated for long enough, markedly high blood glucose levels can result in coma and ultimately death, due to the severe abnormalities of blood chemistry that occur. It is important to note that only a very small minority of patients with either form of diabetes will die in this way.
CAN DIABETES SOMETIMES BE TEMPORARY AND GO AWAY? QUESTION 28
28. Can diabetes sometimes be temporary and go away again?
Yes, this can and does occur, in the case of both types of diabetes. However, in the case of type 1 diabetes,
the disappearance is very predictably temporary and the diabetes will almost inevitably return within
months or a year or two.
The reasons for it are complex and relate to the fact that type 1 diabetes is often diagnosed under conditions of physical stress. When the diabetes is treated and the stress to the body has resolved, there may be sufficient remaining insulin producing capability in the pancreas to keep the blood sugar normal under most circumstances.
Yes, this can and does occur, in the case of both types of diabetes. However, in the case of type 1 diabetes,
the disappearance is very predictably temporary and the diabetes will almost inevitably return within
months or a year or two.
The reasons for it are complex and relate to the fact that type 1 diabetes is often diagnosed under conditions of physical stress. When the diabetes is treated and the stress to the body has resolved, there may be sufficient remaining insulin producing capability in the pancreas to keep the blood sugar normal under most circumstances.
I HAD DIABETES DURING MY LAST PREGNANCY. AM I AT RISK OF DIABETES IN THE FUTURE? QUESTION 27
27. I had diabetes during my last pregnancy. Am I at risk of diabetes in the future?
Yes, you are at high risk both of having type 2 diabetes in the future and of having diabetes again with your next pregnancy. The reason for this is that women destined to get type 2 diabetes in middle age or beyond
tend to be the same women who will develop diabetes in pregnancy.
Therefore, the presence of diabetes in pregnancy is an indicator of future risk for type 2 diabetes.
Yes, you are at high risk both of having type 2 diabetes in the future and of having diabetes again with your next pregnancy. The reason for this is that women destined to get type 2 diabetes in middle age or beyond
tend to be the same women who will develop diabetes in pregnancy.
Therefore, the presence of diabetes in pregnancy is an indicator of future risk for type 2 diabetes.
I HAVE A STRONG FAMILY HISTORY OF DIABETES. HOW OFTEN SHOULD I BE CHECKED FOR IT? QUESTION 26
26. I have a strong family history of diabetes. How often should I be checked for it?
The frequency with which you should be checked for diabetes depends upon your degree of risk, your age, and lifestyle factors. Even if you have a strong family history of type 1 diabetes, your risk of developing it is still only about 5% and is much lower after the age of 35.
Furthermore, type 1 diabetes usually presents with obvious symptoms, such as those described in Question 21, and is unlikely to be missed. Since there is presently little that can be done to prevent type 1 diabetes, screening is usually not performed.
The frequency with which you should be checked for diabetes depends upon your degree of risk, your age, and lifestyle factors. Even if you have a strong family history of type 1 diabetes, your risk of developing it is still only about 5% and is much lower after the age of 35.
Furthermore, type 1 diabetes usually presents with obvious symptoms, such as those described in Question 21, and is unlikely to be missed. Since there is presently little that can be done to prevent type 1 diabetes, screening is usually not performed.
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