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LIVING WITH DIABETES

Diabetes Complications

Diabetes was the seventh leading cause of death based on U.S. death certificates in 2007 and diabetes is often underreported as a cause of death.  Overall, the risk for death among people with diabetes is about twice that of people of similar age but without diabetes. 

Complications include:

  • Heart disease and stroke  -  Adults with diabetes have heart disease death rates about 2 to 4 times higher than adults without diabetes.  The risk for stroke is 2 to 4 times higher as well among people with diabetes.
  • Hypertension  -  Of adults aged 20 years or older with diabetes, 67% had blood pressure greater than 140/90 mmHG or used medications for hypertension.
  • Blindness and eye problems  -  Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults aged 20-74 years.  In 2008, 4.2 million people with diabetes aged 40 years or older had diabetic retinopathy and advanced diabetic retinopathy can lead to severe vision loss.
  • Kidney disease  -  Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure.
  • Nervous system disease  -  About 60% to 70% of people with diabetse have mild to severe forms of nervous system damage.  The results of such damage include impaired sensation or pain in the feet or hands, slowed digestion of food in the stomach, erectile dysfunction, or other nerve problems.
  • Amputations  -  More than 60% of nontraumatic lower-limb amputations occur in people with diabetes.
  • Dental disease  -  Periodontal (gum) disease is more common in people with diabetes.  Among young adults, those with diabetes have twice the risk of those without diabetes.
  • Depression  -  People with diabetes are twice s likely to have depression, which can complicate diabetes management. 
  • Other complications  -  People with diabetes are more susceptible to many other illnesses.  Uncontrolled diabetes leads to biochemical imbalances that can cause serious events such as diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar coma.
Diabetes can affect many parts of the body and can lead to serious complications.  Working together, people with diabetes, their support network, and their health care providers can reduce the occurrence of these and other diabetes complications by controlling the levels of blood glucose, blood pressure, and blood lipids, and by receiving other preventive care practices.


More Information on Preventing Complications

• Vision care — National Eye Institute
• Vision care —  Eye Care America® (American Academy of Ophthalmology program providing necessary eye care and surgery to those in need)
• Oral health — American Dental Association
• Foot care — Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
• Kidney health — National Kidney Foundation Serving Minnesota, the Dakotas, and Iowa
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome — Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Association
• Heart & Lung Health — American Heart Association: Why Diabetes Matters

Eating Right

• Healthy Diabetes Recipes — recipes are from the South Dakota Diabetes Prevention and Control Program Cookbook, Healthy Diabetes Recipes and More. (ADOBE file)
• Mycarbservings.com — carbohydrate counting, sample meal plans, and label reading (requires free Adobe Flash download)
• Fruits and Veggies - More Matters — why and how to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables
• American Diabetes Association Nutrition and Recipes —- ways to make healthy food choices, read food labels, and try diabetic-friendly recipes
• Food and Nutrition Information Center — food pyramid and dietary guidelines
• The Balance Plate.com —- personal eating plan with the foods and amounts that are right for you
• Department of Health and Human Services --- Interactive Portion Distortion Quiz
• Allrecipes — 580 diabetic recipes along with ratings, reviews, and cooking tips
• University of Illinois Extension Service — guide to diet and diabetes

Being Active

• HealthySD.gov — nutrition and physical activity information
• Diabetes, Exercise and Sports Association — a non-profit organization for persons with diabetes that promotes exercise in their diabetes management
• Exercise and Diabetes — information regarding the importance of regular exercise for those living with diabetes.

Healthy Coping

• Diabetes Camps
• Diabetes Education

Symptoms of diabetes often include:

• Frequent urination
• Excessive thirst
• Unexplained weight loss
• Extreme hunger
• Sudden vision changes
• Tingling or numbness in hands or feet
• Feeling very tired much of the time
• Very dry skin
• Sores that are slow to heal
• More infections than usual

Treatment

For type 1 diabetes, therapies include healthy eating, physical activity, and insulin injections that are based on food intake and daily activities.

For type 2 diabetes, basic therapies include healthy eating, physical activity, and blood glucose testing.  In addition, many people with type 2 diabetes require oral medication, insulin, or both to control their blood glucose levels.

People with diabetes need to take control of their day-to-day care, and keep blood glucose levels in the appropriate range. They should also see a healthcare provider on a regular basis.  In addition, a person with diabetes may see an endocrinologist who specializes in diabetes care; ophthalmologists for eye examinations; podiatrists for routine food care; and dietitians and diabetes educators who teach the skills needed for daily diabetes management.

Risk factors for Type 2 diabetes include:

•Family history of diabetes
• Being overweight or obese
• African American, American Indian, Asian American, Pacific Islander, or Hispanic American/Latino heritage
• Prior history of gestational diabetes
• A birth of at least one baby weighing more than 9 pounds
• High blood pressure (140/90 mm Hg or higher)
• Abnormal cholesterol with HDL (“good”) cholesterol is 35 or less, or triglyceride level is 250 or higher
• Physical inactivity (exercising less than 3 times a week)

Determine your risk with the American Diabetes Association Risk Factor Test.