can range from mild to severe.
Problems include a higher chance of:
- dry skin
- skin tags
- dark patches of skin, known as acanthosis nigricans
- bacterial infections, such as styes or boils
- fungal infections, such as thrush or athlete’s foot
- diabetic dermopathy, which involves harmless but potentially bothersome roundish, brown, scaly patches
Ulcers can develop if a skin infection becomes severe. Ulcers are open wounds that are slow to heal.
Necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum (NLD) starts as a raised area of skin that can turn violet and become itchy and sore. NLD is a rare condition that may need treatment if the sores open.
A person with high blood sugar levels may also have
Calluses, foot sores, and dry skin can also pose problems. If wounds develop from these, ulcers can appear. Without attention, a foot ulcer can become dangerous, possibly resulting in the need for an amputation.
Metabolism is the process by which the body converts nutrients into energy. Disruption to this process can lead to various complications, some of which can be life threatening.
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is an acute, life threatening diabetes complication. It happens when the body cannot use glucose for energy, so it starts to break down fat. As it does this, it releases chemicals known as ketones. High levels of ketones can make the blood too acidic.
Within a few hours, this can lead to various symptoms, including:
Without treatment, DKA can be fatal.
DKA is most likely to affect a person with type 1 diabetes, but it can also happen with type 2 diabetes if blood sugar levels rise too far.
Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state
Symptoms develop gradually and include:
- loss of consciousness and coma
HHS can be fatal if a person does not receive treatment quickly.
Metabolic syndrome refers to a collection of conditions and symptoms, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity.
- high fasting blood sugar
- high LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and low HDL (“good”) cholesterol
- hypertension, or high blood pressure
- a large waist size due to body fat around the middle
- high levels of triglycerides in the blood
Risk factors for diabetes and other aspects of metabolic syndrome include low physical activity and excess weight.
Diabetes can affect a person’s mental health in
- concerns about treatment, health, and possible complications that can give rise to stress, anxiety, and depression
- concerns about the cost of treatment and whether or not they are getting it right, especially if symptoms change
- mood disorders that make it difficult for a person to keep a healthy lifestyle
Learning as much as possible about diabetes can help reduce stress. The more a person knows about their condition, the more control they will feel they have over their diabetes and its treatment.
Knowing what to do in each situation can boost a person’s confidence and leave them feeling better overall.
Working with a healthcare professional can help to minimize these problems. A doctor or counselor can help make a plan to reduce the risk of mental health problems.
The following are answers to some common questions about diabetes.
How do I reduce the risk of diabetes complications?
The longer a person has diabetes, the
Ways to minimize the risks include:
- managing blood sugar levels through insulin use or medication
- boosting overall health with lifestyle measures, such as having a healthful diet, exercising, and managing blood glucose
- following the treatment plan that the doctor recommends
What are the first signs of diabetes?
Early signs of diabetes include frequent urination, excessive thirst or hunger, fatigue, and numbness in the hands or feet.
What is gestational diabetes?
This is another type of diabetes that only develops during pregnancy. Hormones from the placenta prevent the insulin in the body from properly storing glucose and the body does not make enough insulin to counteract this. Gestational diabetes usually goes away after delivery.
Diabetes occurs when a person’s blood sugar levels become too high. In time, high blood sugar levels can affect all p