Diabetes: consequences throughout the body

What few people know: Advanced diabetes can cause secondary diseases in a whole range of organs and blood vessels. For example, even slightly elevated blood sugar levels can cause long-term damage to blood vessels and nerves. Around 60 percent of those who are hospitalized with a heart attack or due to acute circulatory disorders of the heart muscle are diabetics - the risk of heart attack or stroke is up to three times higher compared to non-diabetics. Other late effects of diabetes include a general decline in performance, sexual dysfunction and - in the worst cases - even amputations in diabetic feet, whose diabetes-related inflammations no longer respond to antibiotics.

Important with diabetes: have your eyes checked

One of the health consequences of type 2 diabetes can affect the eyes: In the advanced stages of diabetes, the fine blood vessels at the back of the eye become damaged. This eye disease, known as retinopathy, leads to impaired vision after a while. In the worst case, the retina can become detached and the patient goes blind. Another disease resulting from type 2 diabetes: the kidneys can be damaged by the high blood sugar. The organs are then no longer able to detoxify the blood and regulate the water balance. In addition, there are disorders of the salt balance. If this development remains untreated, kidney failure occurs - the person affected has to undergo dialysis regularly. Another danger: diabetes can lead to dementia. According to studies, diabetics are up to four times more likely to develop vascular dementia. And: diabetes attacks the liver. Anyone suffering from diabetes can develop a non-alcohol-related fatty liver as a result.

With all these consequences of diabetes, it is clear that diabetics need to have regular check-ups - at the latest when symptoms appear that could indicate one or other diabetes-related illness. In addition, you can find detailed information about diabetes and late effects on the Internet on advice sites such as www.dasdiabetesblog.de. There is also a health passport for diabetics, which can help those affected to prevent and control the consequences of diabetes.