In the last post you were introduced to some common complications of Diabetes Mellitus . Besides the ones covered, there are others that are common. These complications affect not only your vision but also your sexual health.
If you are recently joining in on this post series but are unsure about what Diabetes is, check out our previous posts about the definition of diabetes, its risk factors, and its symptoms and signs.
Onward we go.
Common Complications of Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetic Retinopathy
If you remember the last post, we spoke on how the ending -pathy means disease or disorder. In this case the disorder or disease is of the retina.
The retina is a structure at the back of the eye that is sensitive to light. Diabetes causes damage to the blood vessel that nourish the retina, and as a result can lead to vision loss. Generally the longer a person suffers from diabetes, and has uncontrolled blood sugars, the more likely they are to develop diabetic retinopathy.
courtesy stantonoptical.com
Symptoms include:
- Blurred Vision
- Vision that comes and goes
- Seeing dark spots or strings floating
- Seeing empty areas within your vision
- Vision Loss
Hyperglycaemia
courtesy eyecandoit.org
This complication would seem to be a bit obvious to some of you who are reading, since Diabetes Mellitus in the first place is a result of high blood sugars or hyperglycaemia. If blood sugars are not controlled adequately, be that by lifestyle changes or medication, hypergleycaemia will prevail.
On the other hand, another complication of Diabetes Mellitus is....
Hypoglycaemia
courtesy 2.bp.blogspot.com
Interestingly enough, low blood sugar is also complication of diabetes. This is more treatment/lifestyle related, and can occur with persons using tablet, and/or insulin combined with poor dietary structure most commonly. For example hypoglycaemia can be the result of the following:
- Skipping meals for whatever reason, or not eating adequately while maintaining the same dose of medication prescribed.
- Having been prescribed a higher dose of medication than needed for individual needs.
Usually hypoglycaemia is associated with insulin users.
While some symptoms can overlap, here is a general symptom overview of both hyper and hypoglycaemia.
Adapted from www.dailyhealthpost.com
Last but by no means least:
Sexual Dysfunction
Most men and women with diabetes are able to have normal sexual lives, however, for some people diabetes can contribute to sexual dysfunction.
courtesy www.medicalnewstoday.com
Erectile Dysfunction
Among men, diabetes can contribute to erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction is defined by the inability to achieve or maintain an erection that lasts during sexual intercourse. It is known more popularly as a disorder stemming from psychological factors, however, diabetes mellitus via its neuropathic complications as we discussed in Common Complications of DM. Part 1 can also cause erectile dysfunction. Cardiovascular disease stemming from diabetes can also play a role in this disorder.
courtesty www.medfactor.es
- Women, Diabetes and Sexual Dysfunction
Women with diabetes can also experience certain elements of sexual dysfunction. These include:
Decreased libido
Vaginal dryness
Reduced ability to orgasm
Painful intercourse
If you felt you learned something about common complications of Diabetes, from Part 1 or this post, Part 2, be sure to like our facebook page, and more importantly share this information with your loved ones.
That's all for now.
Blessings to you and yours.
©July 2018
