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Complications of diabetes
If diabetic neuropathy is diagnosed and treated early, the chances of controlling symptoms and limiting the damage are better. Stay alert for signs and symptoms of diabetic neuropathy.1,3 For example, a small sore that does not get better can become an ulcer—unattended foot ulcers can become gangrenous (where the tissue dies) and require surgery or foot amputation.
What is diabetic neuropathy?
Diabetic neuropathy is a type of nerve damage caused by diabetes.1 High blood sugar levels injure small blood vessels supplying the nerve fibres, leading to nerve damage.2 Nerve fibres throughout the body can be damaged, but this condition commonly affects nerves in the legs and feet.1
Although diabetic neuropathy is a serious complication, it can be prevented, or its progression can be slowed with good blood sugar control and a healthy lifestyle.1
What are the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy?
Symptoms depend on1:
The type of neuropathy
The affected nerves
Main types of neuropathy:
1. Sensory
Damage to the nerves which detect touch, temperature and
pain. Commonly affects the feet and legs, but can also
affect the arms and hands2
Symptoms2,3:
Tingling and prickling sensation (pins and needles)
Numbness, reduced ability to feel pain (or) temparature changes
Loss of coordination
Burning or shooting pains
Pain from stimuli that do not usually cause pain at all, eg, light touch
Loss of feeling in the feet—not realizing this is dangerous, because minor
injuries may go unnoticed. Untreated minor injuries can progress to infections,
ulcers or gangrene. Infections that spread and cause tissue death can
become untreatable and may require toe, foot or lower leg amputation1,2
2. Autonomic
Affects the nerves to your organs and glands which control involuntary actions such as digestion, heart rate, sexual function2
Can lead to1,2:
Slow stomach emptying. Symptoms include bloating,
nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, constipation or diarrhoea
Inability to control the bladder
Irregular heart rate
Excessive or reduced sweating
Erectile dysfunction
Problems with body temperature regulation
Lack of awareness of low blood sugar levels
Low blood pressure, making you feel faint or dizzy after sitting
or standing
3. Motor
Damage to nerves controlling muscle movement2
Can lead to2,3:
Muscle weakness, resulting in falls or problems with tasks
Muscle thinning, whereby the lack of activity causes loss of muscle tissue
Muscle twitching and cramps
Foot drop, ie, difficulty lifting the front part of the foot
How do I watch out for diabetic neuropathy?
If diabetic neuropathy is diagnosed and treated early, the chances of controlling symptoms and limiting the damage are better. Stay alert for signs and symptoms of diabetic neuropathy.1,3 For example, a small sore that does not get better can become an ulcer—unattended foot ulcers can become gangrenous (where the tissue dies) and require surgery or foot amputation. This can be prevented through early detection and treatment.1
See a doctor if you have1,3:
A cut or sore on your foot that is not getting better, infected or worsening
Burning, tingling, weakness, loss of sensation or pain in your hands or feet
Loss of balance
Dizziness
Changes in digestion (eg, persistent diarrhoea or constipation), urination or sexual function
If you have type 2 diabetes, you should also have an assessment for neuropathy when you are first diagnosed with diabetes and annually thereafter.4
What can be done to manage diabetic neuropathy?
There is no known cure for diabetic neuropathy. Treatments are available for the management of diabetic neuropathy to1,2:
1. Slow nerve damageM1,2
Keeping blood sugar levels within your target range can prevent or delay the progression of the condition. This can also improve some existing symptoms
Avoid alcohol or drink in moderation if you are allowed to drink
Good foot care is very important
2. Relieve pain1,3
Neuropathic pain does not normally respond to common painkillers, eg, paracetamol and ibuprofen
If necessary, your doctor will prescribe alternative medications to treat nerve pain. These are normally initiated at a low dose, and the dose is increased slowly until you feel better. If you feel side effets such as tiredness and dizziness, your doctor may reduce your dose, or change your medication if they persist. Many of these medications are also used for other conditions such as depression and epilepsy. Hence, your doctor may prescribe an antidepressant for your nerve pain, even if you are not depressed
Alternative therapies include capsaicin cream, lidocaine plaster, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and acupuncture
3. Manage complications and restore function1,3
These include medications and treatments for nausea, vomiting, erectile dysfunction, bladder control
Eating smaller, more frequent meals and reducing fat in the diet can help with digestive problems
If you have low blood pressure on standing, avoid alcohol, drink enough water, and sit or stand slowly
What is diabetic retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy causes progressive damage to the retina, and is the most common type of diabetic eye disease.5,6 The retina is the light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye—it needs a continuous supply of blood. If blood sugar levels are constantly high, tiny blood vessels supplying the retina can be damaged.7 Diabetic retinopathy normally affects both eyes and if ignored, can lead to blindness.6,7
Am I at risk?
If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, you have a risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. The factors below will increase this risk5,7:
Prolonged diabetes—the longer you have diabetes, the higher the risk
What are the symptoms and complications of diabetic retinopathy?
In the early stages, diabetic retinopathy does not normally have any symptoms or pain. Hence, diabetic eye screening is important, because early signs can be detected by taking photographs of the eye. If diabetic retinopathy is not diagnosed and treated quickly, it can lead to permanent vision loss.7
Symptoms usually appear when it is more advanced.5
Seek urgent medical attention if you have5–7:
If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, you have a risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. The factors below will increase this risk5,7:
Sudden vision loss
Slowly worsening/blurred vision
Eye floaters and spots
A dark or empty spot in the centre of your vision
Double vision
Eye pain or redness
Difficulty seeing well at night
Assessing retinopathy and reducing the risks
How often do I need to check my eyes?
If you have diabetes, assessment/screening for retinopathy should be conducted at least once a year,4,7 and more often if there is damage already present. If you have type 2 diabetes, an assessment should also be performed when you are first diagnosed with diabetes.4 If diabetic retinopathy is discovered early, lifestyle changes and/or treatment can prevent it from worsening.7
How do I reduce my risk of diabetic retinopathy?
If you control your sugar levels, blood pressure and cholesterol, your chances of developing retinopathy will be lower. Adhere to your diabetes medications, and remember about lifestyle factors too—keep a healthy weight, have a healthy diet, be physically active and avoid alcohol andsmoking. Attend your screening appointments and seek medical attention promptly if there is anything amiss with your vision or eyes.6,7 Test your blood sugar and urine ketone levels regularly.5
Are there any treatments for diabetic retinopathy?
Treatment depends on the stage of diabetic retinopathy. Early stages may only require regular monitoring. Controlling your blood sugar levels and a healthy lifestyle will slow the onset and progression of the condition. Laser surgery is normally used to treat more advanced disease.6 Other treatments include injecting medications into the eyes, or surgically removing blood or scar tissue from the eyes.7
What is diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease)?
Anyone can have kidney disease, but it is much more common among those withdiabetes and high blood pressure.8 High sugar levels cause the kidneys to filter too much blood and work extra hard. Over time, the kidneys become leaky and proteins are lost in the urine. The overworked kidneys become less and less efficient as a filter, and waste products build up in the blood.8,9
What are the signs of diabetic kidney disease?
The earliest sign of diabetic kidney disease is increased protein in the urine.10 You should be screened for the presence of protein in the urine annually.8 If you have type 2 diabetes, you should also be screened when you are first diagnosed with diabetes.4 Having this test performed is cucial, because tiny protein particles appear in the urine during the initial stages of kidney disease, and the disease can normally be treated at this point.8
An annual creatinine blood test will show how well your kidneys are working.4
Because your body retains more unnecessary water and salt, kidney disease can also lead to weight gain and ankle swelling. Other early signs include having to go to the toilet more at night, and having an increased blood pressure.10
You may be prescribed with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin II receptor blocker—blood pressure-lowering medications which also delay the progression of kidney disease.8 Speak to your doctor to find out more.
If kidney disease worsens, you may be advised to decrease protein intake to delay the progression of kidney damage.4 Limiting foods high in potassium, phosphate or sodium helps prevent the build-up of waste products in the body. However, speak to a dietician before making changes to your diet.8 Dialysis or a kidney transplant is needed if the kidneys fail.9