Diabetes Complications

1
Diabetes Complications

• And
• Concerns

2
Eye Disease

• Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in the
  U.S.
• A person with diabetes may develop
• --Glaucoma
• --Cataracts
• --Retinopathy
• --Blurred vision

3
Symptoms/Detection

• Most eye problems (except blurred vision)
  have no symptoms until the damage is advanced.
  Detection can be determined by a dilated pupil
  eye examination by an eye care specialist at
  least once per year.

4
Prevention

• The best prevention strategy is to have a
  blood glucose level consistently close to normal.

5
Kidney and Bladder

• Urinary tract infection
• Diabetic bladder (nerve damage to bladder
• Nephropathy (serious kidney disease which can
  cause permanent kidney damage and failure)

6
Symptoms/Detection

• Urinary tract infection-person may experience
  burning or painful urination, urgency to go to
  bathroom, or frequently cloudy or bloody urine.
• Diabetic bladder-bladder does not respond to the
  brains signal to empty because the nerve
  impulses are damaged.
• Nephropathy-changes in kidney function are
  detected by blood tests and urine tests because
  early signs may not be noticeable.

7
Prevention

• Urinary tract infection-control glucose levels
  and body hygiene.
• Diabetic bladder-go to bathroom every 3-4 hours.
  Drink 6-8 glasses of water every day.
• Nephropathy-control glucose levels and body
  hygiene.

8
Neuropathy

• Peripheral-damage to the nerves in the arms,
  hands, legs, and feet.
• Autonomic-damage to the nerves of the heart,
  intestines, and other organs.

9
Symptoms/Detection

• Peripheral
• Numbness, coldness, pain, tingling, sensitive
  skin of feet, legs and thigh, or foot-drop.
• Autonomic
• Heart burn, acid reflux, nausea, vomiting,
  feeling full after eating only a little food,
  frequent diarrhea, chronic constipation, feeling
  faint, difficulty exercising without getting
  winded, and chest pain.

10
Prevention

• Peripheral
• Keep glucose levels close to normal, blood
  pressure below 130/80, avoid alcohol and other
  drugs.
• Autonomic
• Keep glucose levels close to normal, keep blood
  pressure below 130/80, avoid drugs or food which
  may aggravate symptoms.

11
Heart Disease

• Nearly half of the yearly heart disease deaths in
  the U.S. are caused by diabetes.

12
Symptoms/Detection

• Chest pain, fainting, severe dizziness, leg
  cramps, swollen ankles or legs, pain in jaw or
  shoulder, and difficulty in breathing. All
  symptoms should be reported to a doctor.

13
Prevention

• Keep glucose levels close to normal, blood
  pressure control, weight reduction, and no
  tobacco use.

14
Skin

• As many as one-third of people with diabetes
  will have a skin disorder caused by or affected
  by diabetes at some time in their lives.

15
Symptoms/Detection

• Various skin lesions, discoloration, and/or
  infections.

16
Prevention

• Check skin daily for lesions, discoloration,
  ulcers, or abrasions.
• Wear clothing or gloves when necessary to protect
  skin.
• Use lanolin-based creams to protect skin.
• See a doctor when necessary

17
Gum Disease

• If you have diabetes, you are at a higher
  risk for gum disease and other mouth-related
  problems.

18
Symptoms/Detection

• Red, swollen gums, gums that may bleed easily,
  and pus formation.

19
Prevention

• Good dental hygiene and regular visits to your
  dentist.

20
Foot and Leg Problems

• People with diabetes can develop many
  different foot problems. Foot and leg problems
  often happen when there is nerve damage in the
  feet or when blood flow is poor.

21
Symptoms/Detection

• Pain in calves after walking short distance,
  discoloration of skin of lower legs or feet, and
  continued coldness in feet.

22
Prevention

• Keep blood sugar levels under control, inspect
  feet daily, wash feet with soapy water, avoid
  soaking feet, wear shoes that fit, do not apply
  heat to your feet, check shoes for loose objects,
  wear clean socks, and dont use tobacco.

23
The Flu and Pneumonia

• Flu and pneumonia can equal longer stays in
  the hospital, continued illness, and even death
  for people with diabetes.

24
Symptoms/Detection

• Body aches, chills, sudden high fever, sore
  throat, runny nose, headache, and dry cough.

25
Prevention

• Annual flu vaccine and pneumonia vaccine.

26
Strategies to reduce risks of diabetes
complications

• Follow a meal plan and maintain normal weight.
• Get regular exercise and physical activity.
• Get regular checkups from health care
  professionals, eye care professionals, dentist,
  and podiatrist.
• Monitor blood glucose levels.
• Do not smoke or use other tobacco products.
• Maintain normal blood pressure.
• Follow prescribed regimen for diabetes.