When you have diabetes, you are at risk for developing serious health complications. With type 2 diabetes, the body does not use insulin well, so sugar builds up in the blood instead of going into the cells. The sugar in blood, is the main source of energy for cells and the body, so that means the cells don’t get enough fuel when the sugar stays in your blood. Over time, high blood sugar can damage many parts of the body, such as the heart, blood vessels, eyes, and kidneys. Damage to the organs in your body can lead to further complications.
Type 2 diabetes can harm:
- Heart and blood vessels, which can lead to high blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes
- Nerves
- Kidneys, which can lead to kidney failure
- Eyes, which can lead to blindness
- Feet, which can lead to amputation
- Gums
- Skin
CAD – HEART DISEASE (HEART ATTACK, STROKE)
Coronary artery disease (CAD) means your major blood vessels have become hardened or clogged. This can lead to a heart attack or a stroke.
A heart attack happens when your heart muscle is starved of oxygen rich blood. This occurs when your major blood vessels become very clogged and blood flow to your heart is slowed significantly or even blocked. The vessels become clogged because plaque (lots of cholesterol packed together) has built up in your blood vessels narrowing the passageway. Without the oxygen rich blood, heart cells begin to die.
A stroke occurs usually from when a clot develops in the blood vessel, keeping blood from flowing to the brain. The lack of blood flow can quickly lead to brain damage. Strokes are another leading cause of death in the United States.
CHF – CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE
Congestive heart failure (CHF) happens when your heart isn’t pumping as strongly as it should.
Blood carries oxygen and nutrients throughout your body. When you have CHF, blood isn’t pumping very well through your body. Your organs are affected, because they aren’t getting enough oxygen and nutrients. Your organs and your lower limbs will hold onto fluid and begin to swell. This causes shortness of breath and discomfort throughout your body. This can cause a heart attack or other issues.
BLOOD PRESSURE
Blood pressure is the force of your blood against the wall of your blood vessels.
High blood pressure is when your heart is working too hard to pump blood through your body. Your heart has to work harder to pump blood through your body when your blood vessels have become narrowed or hardened. High blood pressure occurs slowly over time and often, you may not know that you have high blood pressure.
High blood pressure can ultimately cause a heart attack, stroke, or kidney disease.
HIGH CHOLESTEROL
There are different kinds of cholesterol. Some are good for us, and some are not.
There are two kinds of cholesterol in your blood: LDL and HDL.
High Cholesterol means you have too much LDL or “bad” cholesterol in your blood vessels. Over time, LDL or “bad” cholesterol builds up in your vessels which causes your vessels to harden or clog. This can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
MENTAL HEALTH & DEPRESSION
Your mental health includes your emotions and your thoughts. Diabetes can affect your mind, as well as, your body.
Having diabetes is actually a lot of work. You have to check blood glucose levels several times a day. You have to take medication or insulin shots regularly. You have to constantly watch what you eat, because food affects your blood glucose levels. You have to make sure you get enough exercise. All on top of just living every day life. It’s a lot to keep track of.
Having diabetes can feel exhausting. You might feel sad or alone. Feelings like this are normal from time to time. But this type of strain over a period of time can lead to other mental health problems like depression, anxiety, and stress.
RENAL FAILURE/ NEPHROPATHY (KIDNEY DISEASE)
Nephropathy (neh-fruh-puh-thee) is when your kidney has become damaged.
Renal failure is known as kidney failure. Your kidney is designed to clean out waste from your blood stream. Renal damage or failure happens when your kidneys can no longer perform this function properly.