Uncontrolled Diabetes: 8 Complications That May Occur With Type 2 Diabetes

The longer diabetes goes undiagnosed, the higher the risk that you will develop a diabetes-related complication. Unfortunately, diabetes is associated with a wide range of complications that affect various parts of your body. Here are the eight complications that can occur in patients with type 2 diabetes.

1. Constant infections

Studies have shown that people with diabetes have a higher risk of developing several different types of infections, including:

• Skin infections
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Mouth infections
• Stomach infections
• Respiratory infections
• Ear infections
• Yeast infections, particularly around the genitals.

People with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing frequent infections because of a few reasons. Firstly, patients with diabetes are more likely to have wounds or sores that won’t close up or heal, which means that the patient’s blood stream is exposed for a longer period of time, providing bacteria with access to the blood stream. Secondly, high blood sugar levels cause the immune system to become weaker, making it harder for the immune system to fight the infections. Lastly, it is known that yeast feeds on sugar. Therefore, high blood sugar levels lead to an increased risk of yeast infections.

2. Diabetic ketoacidosis

Diabetic ketoacidosis is one of the more severe complications associated with diabetes. This occurs because glucose, which normally helps provide cells with energy, is no longer available to cells. Therefore, the body starts to break down fat molecules for energy instead, leading to the production of ketones. As ketones begin to accumulate in the blood, that causes the blood to become too toxic.

3. Kidney disease

Kidney disease is another more serious complication associated with type 2 diabetes. If you have uncontrolled diabetes, that essentially means you have high blood sugar levels for a very long time. These high blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the kidneys. The kidneys then have to work harder, causing patients to develop kidney disease.

4. Cardiovascular disease

Many people with diabetes that present with cardiovascular symptoms already have cardiovascular complications, including hypertension (high blood pressure), high cholesterol and obesity, all of which are risk factors for heart disease. Cardiovascular complications of diabetes are most dangerous out of all of the ones we're discussing, since they are most likely to be fatal. Therefore, if you find yourself with high blood pressure, chest pain, or abnormal heart rhythm, you should immediately go see a doctor.

5. Neurological damage

Having high blood sugar levels in the body can cause damage to nerves, particularly those of the hands and feet. This leads patients to often feel numbness and tingling. Patients may also experience pain that feels similar to burning or an electric shock. If you have find yourself having redness, swelling and warmth in the legs, that is a medical emergency and needs to be examined by a healthcare professional as soon as possible.

6. Eye disease

Diabetes is a common cause of vision loss. Diabetes is known to cause eye problems, as high blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels that supply the eye. Thus, patients are at a higher risk of developing glaucoma, cataracts and diabetic retinopathy. The symptoms will include vision problems and sudden vision loss. Fortunately, regular eye check-ups can prevent vision loss in 90 percent of cases.

7. Gum disease

Patients with diabetes are at a higher risk of gum disease as well. The symptoms for gum disease including your gums being red, swollen and bleeding. Fortunately, with regular dental check-ups, keeping your blood sugar under control and having good oral hygiene, you can often avoid tooth loss and gum disease.

8. Weight loss