3019 What are the possible complications when you have Diabetes

Hello. This video will tell you about the long term consequences of poorly controlled diabetes, and what you can do to minimise your risk of suffering from them If your diabetes is poorly controlled, you will have a high level of sugar in your blood. This sugary blood causes two types of damage to your blood vessels: Complications which affect the small blood vessels are called microvascular complications. Complications which affect the big blood vessels are called macrovascular complications. There are four types of microvascular complications. Firstly, eye problems, known as diabetic retinopathy. The retina contains the vision cells at the back of your eye, and if damaged your sight can deteriorate. If this is untreated, blindness can develop. Everyone with diabetes should have an annual diabetes eye tests in addition to any regular optician appointments. Secondly, you may get kidney damage, known as diabetic nephropathy. The kidney is made up of millions of little blood vessels which help to produce urine. Damage to this system can eventually cause kidney failure. The treatment for kidney failure is either a kidney transplant, or dialysis. You may also suffer from erectile dysfunction. Diabetes can damage the nerves and blood vessels which supply your penis, causing difficulties with sexual intercourse. And lastly, you may get nerve damage, known as Peripheral neuropathy. Damage to the nerves which supply your feet can make your feet go numb. This means you won’t feel pain if you knock or cut your feet. Cuts and sores can then easily develop into ulcers, which if not treated, may require surgery, and even amputation. You need to check your feet regularly for damage to prevent ulcers developing. There are three types of macrovascular complications. In each case, diabetes can cause narrowing or blockages of blood vessels. This reduces the supply of blood to an organ. In the heart, this can cause a heart attack, which is an episode of severe chest pain associated with damage to the heart muscle or angina. In the brain, the lack of blood can cause a a stroke. And in the blood vessels in your legs, the damage can cause peripheral vascular disease. This reduces the blood supply to your feet which increases the risk of developing ulcers. The most important thing you can do to prevent diabetic complications is to control your blood sugar level, your cholesterol level and your blood pressure. Eating a healthy diet, and if appropriate taking your diabetes medications properly, will keep these levels in the normal range. Every few months your GP surgery will check your control of your blood sugar level over the preceding weeks and months by taking a blood test called HbA1c. A high HbA1c means you have consistently high blood sugar levels which puts you at risk of developing complications. You can ask your GP or practice diabetes nurse for your HbA1c results. Your GP will also arrange for you to have annual eye tests, you should make sure you check your feet regularly for any cuts and sores.