Diabetes is a term that refers to a group of diseases that affect the way your body uses blood sugar (blood glucose). The underlying cause of diabetes varies by type. However, no matter what type of diabetes you have, it can lead to your blood sugar is higher than normal. Too much sugar in your blood can lead to serious health problems.
Foot ulcers are a common vascular complication in patients with diabetes
1. What is diabetes?
Diabetes mellitus, commonly known as diabetes, is a metabolic disease that causes high blood sugar. The hormone insulin moves sugar from the blood into your cells to be stored or used for energy. With diabetes, your body either doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t effectively use the insulin it does make.
Untreated high blood sugar from diabetes can damage your nerves, eyes, kidneys, and other organs.
There are a few different types of diabetes:
2. Causes of diabetes
Different causes are associated with each type of diabetes.
- Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease. The immune system attacks and destroys cells in the pancreas, where insulin is made. It’s unclear what causes this attack. About 10 percent of people with diabetes have this type.
- Type 2 diabetes occurs when your body becomes resistant to insulin, and sugar builds up in your blood.
- Prediabetes occurs when your blood sugar is higher than normal, but it’s not high enough for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.
- Gestational diabetes is high blood sugar during pregnancy. Insulin-blocking hormones produced by the placenta cause this type of diabetes.
3. Diabetes complications
There are two types of complications you may experience: acute and chronic. Acute complications require emergency care. Examples include hypoglycemia and ketoacidosis.
Complications associated with diabetes include:
- Heart disease, heart attack, and stroke
- Neuropathy
- Nephropathy
- Retinopathy and vision loss
- Hearing loss
- Foot damage such as infections and sores that don’t heal
- Skin conditions such as bacterial and fungal infections
- Depression
- Dementia
Image of giant diabetic foot ulcer before treatment with Multidex
Image of giant ulcers caused by diabetic feet after treatment with Multidex
Diabetes can lead to serious medical complications, but you can manage the condition with medications and lifestyle changes. Avoid the most common diabetes complications with these helpful tips.