Diabetes and its common consequences with the passage of time

Diabetes is an incurable disease; according to study 47 million people have diabetes in the world. More than 80% of diabetes deaths occur in countries with low and middle income. According to WHO projections, the number of diabetes deaths will double between 2005 and 2030. In the long term, people with diabetes who have inadequate control of their disease risk various complications, mainly because a prolonged hyperglycemia causes tissue damage blood capillaries and nerves, as well as a narrowing of the arteries. The common consequences of diabetes are as following:-

Common consequences of diabetes

• With the passage of time the diabetes can damage the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys and nerves.
• Diabetes increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. 50% of diabetics die of cardiovascular disease (mainly heart disease and stroke).
• Associated with reduced blood flow, neuropathy which affects the feet increases the likelihood of developing foot ulcers and, ultimately, limb amputation.
• Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of blindness, and occurs as a result of damage to the small blood vessels of the retina that accumulate over time. After 15 years of diabetes, approximately 2% of patients become blind, and about 10% have severe visual impairment.
• Diabetes is among the leading causes of kidney failure. 10-20% of people with diabetes die of renal failure.
• Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage following from diabetes affecting up to 50% of diabetics. Although many different problems can result from diabetic neuropathy, common symptoms include: tingling, pain, numbness or weakness in the hands and feet.
• The overall risk of death among diabetics is at least two times greater than their peers who do not have diabetes.

A healthy diet, regular physical activity, maintaining a normal weight and stopping smoking can prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.