How Diabetes Affects Your Body
Diabetes affects a person's overall health, and people with diabetes are at a much higher risk for damage to the kidneys, eyes, feet, nerves and skin. Because of these serious risk factors, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends regular screening for early signs of damage. Many of these side effects can be delayed or avoided altogether through careful blood sugar control. Here is some important information to know about these potential health concerns.
Diabetes is the most common cause of kidney disease. It causes glucose, a form of sugar, to build up in your blood. Too much glucose in the blood can damage your nephrons, tiny processors in your kidneys. When caught early, kidney disease can be slowed with treatment. A later diagnosis often leads to kidney failure. This requires dialysis, a procedure for removing excess waste from the blood.
What can you do?
- Keep your blood sugar under control. This can delay or prevent more damage to your already stressed kidneys.
- Exercise. Physical activity helps your body control blood sugar.
- Eat a healthy diet. Avoid sugary drinks and simple starches. Focus on fruits, veggies and whole grains.
People with diabetes are at increased risk for eye complications, and most will get some form of retinopathy, a disorder of the retina. The earlier problems are diagnosed, the more successful treatments can be.
What can you do?
- Keep your blood sugar levels under control.
- Bring high blood pressure under control.
- Quit smoking.
- See your eye care professional at least once a year for a dilated eye exam.
People with diabetes can develop many different foot problems. Even ordinary problems, like blisters or calluses, can become much worse and lead to serious complications. The most common cause of foot problems is nerve damage, which results in loss of feeling in your feet. Poor blood flow or changes in the shape of your feet or toes may also cause problems.
What can you do?
- Check your feet every day and inspect them for cuts, sores, blisters, redness, calluses or other problems.
- Wash your feet in warm water every day, but do not soak them.
- Wear shoes that fit well, and wear socks to avoid blisters.
- Always wear shoes or slippers, even when inside.
- File corns and calluses gently with an emery board or pumice stone.
About half of people with diabetes have some form of nerve damage, called neuropathy. This is caused by increased blood sugar levels, which can damage the covering on your nerves or the blood vessels that bring oxygen to your nerves. Nerves send messages to and from your brain, and damaged nerves may stop sending messages, or may send messages slowly or at the wrong times.
What can you do?
- Keep your blood sugar close to normal.
- Take care of your feet.
- Limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
- Don't smoke.
- Talk to your doctor about any problems you have with your hands, feet, arms or legs or with your stomach, bowels or bladder.
Skin complications are often the first sign that a person has diabetes. As many as 33% of people with diabetes will have a skin condition at some point in their lives. Some conditions, like bacterial or fungal infections, are conditions that anyone can have, but people with diabetes have more often. Other conditions happen mostly or only in people with diabetes.
What can you do?
Different skin complications will require different treatments, so it's important to see your doctor if you feel you have developed an infection.
The best way to prevent these skin conditions is to keep your blood sugar under control and to speak with your doctor if you have concerns.
Sources: Krames Staywell, American Diabetes Association, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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