Diabetes and related illnesses

Diabetes related conditions

Excess glucose in the blood damages both the large blood vessels (such as those supplying the heart muscle and limbs) and the very fine blood vessels (such as those supplying the kidney and eye) as well as damaging nerves. This contributes to:

• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Kidney disease (nephropathy)
• Impotence
• Peripheral vascular disease (PVD)
• Nerve damage (neuropathy)
• Damage to the back of the eye (retinopathy)

Uncontrolled diabetes is the commonest cause of blindness in people of working age, although treatment can prevent blindness in 90 per cent of those at risk.

Diabetes is the second most common cause of lower limb amputation, trauma being responsible for most leg amputations.

Minimising the risk of diabetes related conditions

However, it's possible to minimise the risk of developing these complications by keeping diabetes under tight control. This is why it's vitally important for people with diabetes to check their glucose levels at home regularly as instructed, and to attend their GP, diabetes nurse or hospital check-ups where blood glucose, blood pressure, kidney function, eyes and feet will be examined.

Any problems detected can then be treated early, rather than later when problems may be more difficult to treat.