Possible Complications of Diabetes

How Diabetes Can Affect Your Eyes – and What You Can Do About It

Diabetes can cause serious problems with your eyes if your blood sugar stays high for a long time. High blood sugar can damage the tiny blood vessels in your eyes, especially in the retina, which helps you see clearly. This damage can lead to diabetic retinopathy, a condition that may cause blurry vision, vision loss, or even blindness. Diabetes can also raise your risk for other eye problems, like:

• Diabetic macular edema (swelling in part of the retina)
• Glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye)
• Cataracts (clouding of the lens in your eye)

The good news is that many eye complications can be prevented or treated if found early. Here are steps people with diabetes can take to protect their eyes:

• Get a comprehensive, dilated eye exam at least once a year
• Keep your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol in a healthy range
• Follow a balanced diet and be physically active
• Take all medications as prescribed
• Quit smoking and limit alcohol
  
  

Watch out for warning signs like blurry vision, floaters, dark spots, or trouble seeing at night. These could be signs of a serious eye problem. If you notice any changes in your vision, see your eye doctor right away.

Taking care of your diabetes and your eyes can help you stay healthy and protect your sight for the future. With regular checkups and smart daily habits, you can lower your risk of diabetic eye disease and keep your vision strong.

If you need to find an eye doctor, visit Hampton Roads Eye Associates to find a location near you.

Understanding Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) and How to Prevent It

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a serious and potentially life-threatening complication of diabetes. It happens when your body doesn't have enough insulin to use sugar (glucose) for energy, so it starts breaking down fat instead. This process produces ketones, which are acids that build up in the blood. If ketone levels get too high, they can poison the body. DKA is most common in people with type 1 diabetes, but it can also happen in people with type 2 diabetes, especially during illness or stress.

Signs of DKA include:

• Nausea or vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Fruity-smelling breath
• Fast or deep breathing
• Extreme thirst or frequent urination
• Confusion, tiredness, or trouble focusing

If you notice these symptoms, it's important to get medical help right away. DKA can lead to coma or death if not treated quickly.

To help prevent DKA, people with diabetes should:

• Check blood sugar levels regularly
• Test for ketones, especially when blood sugar is high or during illness
• Take insulin and other medications as prescribed
• Stay hydrated and eat balanced meals
• Follow a sick-day plan from your healthcare provider
• Contact your doctor if blood sugar stays high or ketones are present

With good diabetes management and early action, DKA can often be avoided. Learning the warning signs and knowing what to do can help people with diabetes stay safe and healthy.

How Diabetes Affects Your Feet – and How to Protect Them

Diabetes can cause serious problems in your feet, especially if blood sugar stays high over time. High blood sugar can damage the nerves (diabetic neuropathy) and blood vessels, making it harder to feel injuries and for wounds to heal properly. This means small cuts, blisters, or sores can turn into serious infections if not treated quickly. In some cases, these complications can lead to foot ulcers, bone damage (Charcot foot), or even amputation.

Common foot problems in people with diabetes include:

• Numbness or tingling in the feet
• Dry or cracked skin
• Infections from cuts or blisters
• Slow-healing wounds or ulcers
• Changes in foot shape or swelling

To prevent foot problems, people with diabetes should check their feet every day for cuts, redness, swelling, or blisters—even if they don’t feel pain. Washing feet daily, drying them carefully (especially between the toes), and applying moisturizer can help prevent dry skin and cracks. It’s also important to wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes that fit well and to avoid walking barefoot.

• Other smart ways to protect your feet include:
• See a podiatrist or foot specialist regularly
• Trim toenails straight across to prevent ingrown nails
• Keep blood sugar in target range
• Avoid smoking, which reduces blood flow to the feet
• Stay active to improve circulation

With daily care and regular checkups, most diabetes-related foot problems can be prevented or treated early. Taking

How Diabetes Can Affect Your Hearing – and How to Protect It

Diabetes doesn’t just affect your blood sugar—it can also lead to hearing problems. In fact, research shows that people with diabetes are twice as likely to have hearing loss as those without diabetes. High blood sugar levels can damage the small blood vessels and nerves in the inner ear, just like it can in the eyes and feet. When the inner ear doesn’t get enough oxygen-rich blood, it may not work as well, leading to hearing loss over time.

Signs of hearing loss may include:

• Trouble understanding conversations, especially in noisy places
• Frequently asking others to repeat themselves
• Turning up the volume on the TV or radio
• Ringing or buzzing in the ears (tinnitus)

To help lower the risk of hearing loss, people with diabetes should take these steps:

• Keep blood sugar levels within target range
• Get regular hearing tests as part of your diabetes care
• Avoid loud noises, like loud music or power tools, or wear ear protection
• Don’t smoke, since it can affect blood flow to the inner ear
• Stay physically active to support good circulation and overall health

If you notice changes in your hearing, talk to your doctor or ask for a referral to a hearing specialist (audiologist). Catching hearing loss early makes it easier to manage and may help protect your quality of life. Managing diabetes well is one of the best ways to protect your ears and hearing health.

How Diabetes Increases the Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke – and How to Lower That Risk

People with diabetes have a much higher risk of developing heart disease and stroke. Over time, high blood sugar can damage the blood vessels and nerves that control the heart. This damage can lead to hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), which increases the risk of heart attacks, high blood pressure, and stroke. In fact, adults with diabetes are nearly twice as likely to have a heart attack or stroke as those without diabetes.

Diabetes can also lead to other problems that increase your cardiovascular risk, such as:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol and triglycerides
• Obesity or being overweight
• Chronic inflammation in blood vessels

The good news is that there are many ways to lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. People with diabetes should:

• Keep blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol at healthy levels
• Eat a heart-healthy diet that’s low in saturated fat, added sugars, and sodium
• Get regular physical activity—at least 30 minutes most days of the week
• Avoid smoking and limit alcohol
• Take medications as prescribed by your doctor
• Schedule routine checkups to monitor heart health

You should also learn the warning signs of a heart attack or stroke, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, numbness on one side of the body, or trouble speaking. Call 911 right away if you or someone else shows these signs. With good diabetes management and a healthy lifestyle, many heart and stroke complications can be prevented or controlled. Staying informed and proactive is key to protecting your heart health.

How Diabetes Can Affect Your Kidneys – and How to Prevent Damage

Diabetes is one of the leading causes of chronic kidney disease (CKD). When blood sugar stays too high for too long, it can damage the tiny blood vessels in the kidneys. These vessels help filter waste and extra fluid from the blood. Over time, this damage can lead to a condition called diabetic nephropathy, where the kidneys can’t work as well as they should. If left untreated, it can lead to kidney failure and the need for dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Signs of kidney problems may include:

• Swelling in your hands, feet, or face
• Increased need to urinate, especially at night
• Fatigue or feeling weak
• Trouble concentrating
• Protein in the urine (found through a lab test)
  
  

To help protect your kidneys, people with diabetes should take the following steps:

• Keep blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol within target ranges
• Get urine and blood tests regularly to check kidney function
• Take medications as prescribed—especially those that protect the kidneys
• Stay hydrated, but follow fluid limits if advised by your doctor
• Avoid smoking and limit salt intake to reduce blood pressure

Catching kidney problems early can slow or even stop further damage. That’s why routine checkups are so important for people with diabetes. With good care and healthy habits, many people with diabetes can prevent or delay kidney disease and keep their kidneys working well for years to come.

How Diabetes Can Affect Your Mouth, Gums, and Teeth – and How to Protect Your Oral Health

Diabetes can cause serious problems for your mouth, gums, and teeth. High blood sugar can weaken your mouth’s ability to fight off bacteria, which raises the risk for gum disease (periodontitis), tooth decay, dry mouth, and infections like thrush. In fact, people with diabetes are more likely to have severe gum disease, which can lead to tooth loss if not treated.

Common signs of mouth and gum problems include:

• Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
• Bad breath that doesn’t go away
• Pain when chewing or brushing
• Dry mouth or a burning feeling in the mouth
• Loose teeth or gums pulling away from teeth

The good news is there are simple steps people with diabetes can take to lower their risk of dental complications:

• Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
• Floss daily to remove food and plaque between teeth
• Visit your dentist regularly, at least twice a year
• Let your dentist know you have diabetes and share your A1C levels
• Keep your blood sugar in target range to help your body fight infections
• Quit smoking, which makes gum disease worse

Taking care of your oral health is an important part of managing diabetes. With regular dental checkups, good hygiene habits, and well-controlled blood sugar, you can prevent many common diabetes-related mouth problems and keep your smile healthy.

How Diabetes Can Cause Nerve Damage – and How to Prevent It

Diabetes can cause nerve damage, also known as diabetic neuropathy, when blood sugar levels stay too high for too long. This damage most often affects the nerves in the legs and feet, but it can also impact other parts of the body, including the hands, digestive system, and heart. Nerve damage from diabetes can lead to pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, and serious complications like infections, ulcers, or even amputation.

There are different types of diabetic neuropathy, including:

• Peripheral neuropathy – affects the feet, legs, hands, and arms
• Autonomic neuropathy – affects digestion, heart rate, and bladder function
• Focal neuropathy – sudden weakness in a nerve or group of nerves, usually in the head or leg
• Proximal neuropathy – causes pain and weakness in the hip, thigh, or buttocks
  
  

To reduce your risk of nerve damage, people with diabetes should:

• Keep blood sugar levels in target range
• Check your feet every day for cuts, sores, or swelling
• Wear shoes that fit well and protect your feet
• Stay active to support healthy circulation
• Eat a balanced diet and avoid smoking
• See your healthcare provider regularly to monitor for nerve problems

If you notice symptoms like tingling, numbness, or burning pain—especially in your feet or hands—talk to your doctor right away. Catching neuropathy early can help prevent more serious damage and improve your quality of life. With good diabetes management and daily care, many nerve problems can be delayed or avoided.

How Diabetes Can Affect Sexual Health – and How to Lower the Risk

Diabetes can cause problems with sexual health in both men and women. High blood sugar over time can damage the nerves and blood vessels that control sexual function. This can lead to erectile dysfunction in men, low libido, vaginal dryness, pain during sex, and difficulty reaching orgasm. Diabetes can also impact emotional health, which can reduce sexual desire and affect relationships.

Common sexual health issues linked to diabetes include:

• Erectile dysfunction (ED) in men
• Low testosterone levels, leading to fatigue and reduced sex drive
• Vaginal dryness and infections in women
• Urinary tract or bladder issues
• Anxiety, depression, or stress, which can reduce interest in sex
  
  

People with diabetes can take action to protect and improve their sexual health:

• Keep blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol in target range
• Talk openly with your doctor about any sexual health concerns
• Exercise regularly to boost circulation and energy
• Manage stress and mental health with support, therapy, or counseling
• Use lubricants for vaginal dryness and consider medication for ED if recommended

It’s important to remember that you’re not alone—sexual health issues are common in people with diabetes and are treatable. Taking steps to manage your diabetes and talking to your healthcare provider can help you feel better, both physically and emotionally. With the right care, you can maintain a healthy and fulfilling sex life.

How Diabetes Can Affect Your Skin – and Ways to Protect It

Diabetes can lead to skin complications, especially when blood sugar levels stay high for too long. High blood sugar can reduce blood flow, weaken the immune system, and damage nerves, making it harder for the body to fight off infections and keep skin healthy. People with diabetes may notice dry or itchy skin, slow-healing wounds, and are more likely to develop skin infections or conditions like diabetic dermopathy (light brown patches on the skin) and fungal or bacterial infections.

Common diabetes-related skin problems include:

• Dry, cracked skin, especially on hands and feet
• Itchy skin or rashes
• Blisters or sores that take a long time to heal
• Fungal infections (like athlete’s foot or yeast infections)
• Diabetic dermopathy – light brown, scaly spots on the shins
• Bacterial infections like boils or styes
  

To prevent skin problems and protect your skin if you have diabetes:

• Keep your blood sugar in your target range
• Moisturize daily, especially after bathing
• Check your skin every day, especially on your feet and legs
• Treat cuts and scrapes right away—clean with soap and water and cover with a bandage
• Avoid very hot showers or baths, which can dry out the skin
• See a doctor or dermatologist if you notice skin changes or signs of infection

Caring for your skin is an important part of your overall diabetes management. With good blood sugar control and regular skin care, you can prevent many common skin problems and keep your skin healthy and comfortable. If you notice anything unusual, don’t wait—early treatment can help stop small problems from becoming serious.