Diabetic neuropathies are a family of nerve disorder caused by diabetes. Prolonged history of diabetes may develop nerve damage throughout the body. Majority diabetic people have some form of neuropathy.

Symptoms

Symptoms depend on the type of neuropathy and which nerves are affected. Symptoms of nerve damage may include:

Numbness, tingling, or pain in toes, feet, legs, hands, arms and fingers Indigestion, nausea or vomiting Dizziness or faintness due to a drop in blood pressure after standing or sitting up Weakness

Diabetic Foot

People suffering from diabetic neuropathy need to take special care of their foot. The nerves to the feet are the longest in the body and are the ones most often affected by neuropathy. Loss of sensation in the feet means that sores or injuries may not be noticed and may become ulcerated or infected. Circulation problems also increase the risk of foot ulcers.

Types of neuropathy:

Peripheral neuropathy - affects toes, feet, legs, hands, arms Autonomic neuropathy - affects heart and blood vessels, digestive system, urinary tract, sex organs, sweat glands, eyes, lungs Proximal neuropathy - thighs, hips, buttocks, legs Focal neuropathy - eyes, facial muscles, ears, chest, abdomen

Causes:

Age and duration of diabetes are great risk for neuropathies. People suffering with diabetes for over 25 years are much susceptible to this complication. Along with high blood sugar, blood fat, blood pressure and overweight are also equally responsible. Damaged blood vessels, inflammation in nerves, inherited traits, smoking, alcohol etc are some of the other factors that cause nerve damage.

Diabetic retinopathy is a very critical complication of diabetes. It is the medical term for the most common diabetes eye problem.

Retina damage takes place slowly

Signs and symptoms:

Blurred vision Double vision Flashing lights or blank spots Dark or floating spots Pain or pressure in one or both the eyes Trouble seeing things out of the corners of eyes

Stage 1:

The high blood glucose and high blood pressure for a prolonged time damages the tiny blood vessels in the retinas. These tiny blood vessels swell and weaken becoming clogged. The blood vessels then do not let enough blood through. Their may not be any loss of sight.

Stage 2:

As the problem worsens, new blood vessels grow. These are weak and thus break easily and leak blood into the vitreous of eye. It is because of this leaking blood that light does not reach the retina. Due to this floating spots or total darkness is seen

Stage 3:

After many years, swollen and weak blood vessels can form scar tissue and detach the retina. If proper care is not taken, the detached retina can cause loss of sight or blindness.

Diabetes can damage the filtering system of kidneys. Kidneys filter too much blood as a consequence of high blood sugar level. After many years they start leaking. As a result of this useful protein is lost in the urine.

Symptoms:

Symptoms of nephropathy are not seen until all functions have gone, the reason being that kidneys work hard to make up for the failing capillaries. Certain symptoms that are observed later are:

Fluid build up Loss of sleep Poor appetite Upset stomach Weakness Difficulty concentrating

Stage 1:

Microalbuminuria marks the first stage of nephropathy. Having small amounts of protein in the urine is called microalbuminuria. An early diagnosis during this stage helps in controlling the kidney disease from getting worse

Stage 2:

Macroalbuminuria marks the second stage of nephropathy. Having larger amounts of protein in urine is called macroalbuminuria. If kidney disease is diagnosed at this stage, End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) usually follows.

Stage 3 (ESRD):

At this stage kidneys have lost their filtering ability. Waste products start to build up and finally the kidneys fail. A person with ESRD needs to have a kidney transplant or dialysis.

Diabetes affects the blood vessels, blood and the heart. Diabetic patients are at great risk of developing atherosclerosis (disease affecting arterial blood vessels). HDL (good cholesterol) levels are reduced in type II diabetes, which enhances susceptibility to atherogenesis (formation of atheromas, plaques in the inner lining of arteries). Diabetics have increased platelet adhesiveness and response to aggregating agents which further favors atherogenesis.

Most patients with type II diabetes also tend to be obese and hypertensive. Controlling blood pressure in people with diabetes is important since it is a major risk factor for cardio vascular diseases and increases the risk for heart attack, stroke and other complications such as retinopathy and nephropathy.