Complications

Complications are real and can damage the body and can be permanent.

1. Retinopathy - you can go blind from  retina detachment. Laser therapy to stop it is necessary.  Have a yearly photo of the back of the eye to check for damage.
2. Neuropathy - Peripheral, autonomic, mononeuropathy or proximal.
   1. Peripheral - numbness, tingling of hands, arms, feet; sharp pain, muscle weakness, lack of reflexes, gangrene, ulcers, infections or joint damage.
   2. Autonomic - nerves that control internal organs and processes.  (heart, sweat glands, eyes, bladder, digestion, sex organs).
      1. You may get UTI's, constipation, diarrhea, infections, slower gastric emptying  erectile dysfunction, vaginal dryness lower libido, dizziness.   
   3. Proximal  - nerves in the thighs, butt, or legs.  It is more common in T2 and those older than 50. Pain in hip butt, thighs, muscle wasting or chest pain.
   4. Mononeuropathy - A single nerve can be affected.  Double vision, trouble focusing, eye aches, shin pain, pins and needles or loss of feeling where the nerve has been affected.  Nerve compression (carpal tunnel fingers or hands)
3. Gangrene -  Uncontrolled blood sugars damages nerves. Body tissue dies and blood flow is disrupted or blocked.  It can result from an injury or infection of the skin and soft tissue or poor wound healing. High blood sugars affect blood vessels and limit the blood flow to your feet. This causes a chain reaction. If your feet aren’t getting enough circulation, fewer infection-fighting cells are making their way there . If you don’t have enough of these cells, any wound you develop can take longer to heal or not heal at all and you will see your skin turn a dark color which means gangrene may be starting.
4. Oral Health  Diabetics are more likely to have gum disease, cavities, and other problems with teeth or gums. If oral health is poor, this wiill worsen your diabetes. Daily brushing, flossing will  keep bacteria, cavities and gum disease to a minimum.  

High sugars affect oral health by changing the salvia. It prevents tooth decay by washing away food, preventing bacteria from growing, and fighting the acids produced by bacteria. Saliva has minerals that protect mouth tissues and fight decay.

Diabetes and some meds used to treat it can cause the salivary glands to make less saliva, which increases risk for cavities or gum disease.  Some meds can increase the amount of sugar in your saliva, which feeds bacteria combined with food builds plaque.  If Plaque then becomes tartar which becomes gum disease that can lead to tooth losse, gingivitis, cavities or mouth ulcers. 

One forth of adults with diabetes ages 50 and older have severe tooth loss, compared with about 16% of those without diabetes.

Gingivitis, the first stage, is mild inflammation of the soft tissues in your mouth. They become red, swollen and may bleed. The next stage  is periodontitis or gum infection. Infected pockets form and bacteria in your mouth break down bone and tissue holding your teeth in place.  If it becomes severe, you’ll one or more teeth removed.

Other conditions include dry mouth, thrush, a fungal infection of white patches on the tongue, and burning moth syndrome. This changes the way foods and beverages taste. Things to check, red, swollen, bleeding gums, receding gum line, gums pulling away from your teeth, loose teeth, increasing spaces between teeth and bad breath.  Check with your dentist for care.