Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCardiovascular DiseaseDry MouthErectile DysfunctionFatigueFoot UlcersGum DiseaseHearing LossHypoglycemiaKidney FailureMemory LossNeuropathyObstructive Sleep ApneaSkin InfectionsVision ImpairmentNext in Diabetes GuideHow Untreated Diabetes Affects Your Body
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Cardiovascular Disease
Dry Mouth
Erectile Dysfunction
Fatigue
Foot Ulcers
Gum Disease
Hearing Loss
Hypoglycemia
Kidney Failure
Memory Loss
Neuropathy
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Skin Infections
Vision Impairment
Next in Diabetes Guide
When an individual has diabetes, it requires a lifestyle change. If changes aren’t made, diabetes can lead to other health conditions.
This article outlinescomorbidities that can occur alongside diabetes.
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Research shows it is common that people with diabetes also havecardiovascular diseaseand other heart-related issues. These conditions are intertwined and can create complications.
It is possible for people who have longstanding diabetes and heart-related conditions to develop other complications such as:
When a person hastype 2 diabetes, their risk for cardiovascular mortality and morbidity is higher than those who do not have diabetes. This is due to the lack of glycemic control.
Other risk factors include:
All of these are factors of both conditions.
Research shows that when a person hastype 1 diabetes, cardiovascular disease is a major cause of mortality.It is important to work with a healthcare professional to understand your conditions and follow the specified treatment plan related to both.
Diabetes can cause too much glucose in the blood. As a result, this can cause infection, pain, anddryness in the mouth.
High amounts of glucose will reduce the ability of saliva to produce effectively. When there are high glucose levels in the saliva, this increases the growth of bacteria. This can also increase the risk of:
Some of the symptoms along with dry mouth include:
It is important to develop a treatment plan with your healthcare professionals. Both a healthcare provider and dentist can help with a plan that is effective.
The Reason Why Your Mouth Is So Dry—and What You Can Do About It
Research has shown thaterectile dysfunctionis known to be a complication of diabetes. It is also an under-reported and under-diagnosed condition. Therefore, treatment and the age of diagnosis are delayed.
People who are older and have poor glycemic control are known to have a higher risk of getting severe erectile dysfunction
Causes and Risk Factors of Erectile Dysfunction
When a person is fatigued, it can impair the mental and physical function for both short-term and long-term activities. Studies recommend that if an individual presents with complaints of fatigue, a healthcare professional should conduct a focused medical and endocrine checkup.
Fatigue is a common factor for bothtype 1andtype 2 diabetes. Along with diabetes medication, there are other risk factors of fatigue, including:
Some people with diabetes become depressed, which is another condition that is, at times, diagnosed as fatigue.
It is important to speak with a healthcare professional about your specific symptoms so they can accurately diagnose the condition. If the lifestyle, nutritional, and medical factors are ruled out, a targeted gluco-endocrine evaluation should be done to determine a diabetes fatigue syndrome diagnosis.
Diabetic foot ulcersoccur in approximately 15% of people with diabetes. The length of time a person has had diabetes is a factor as to whether or not a patient will get a foot ulcer.
The condition can result from:
About 6% of people with diabetes could be hospitalized due to complications or infections of a foot ulcer.
If a person has type 1 or type 2 diabetes, they can get a foot ulcer. Certain individuals are at higher risk, including those who:
People who have diabetes-related eye disease, heart disease, andkidney diseaseare also at a higher risk.
Treatment for diabetic foot ulcers includes:
Ulcers are not always infected. If one does become infected, see a healthcare professional regarding proper medication and care.
Gingivitisor gum disease occurs when plaque builds up around your teeth and inflammation in the gums occurs. For people who have diabetes, the inflammatory response to the plaque is greater.
Some of the symptoms of gum disease include:
If a person does have gum disease and it goes untreated, it can turn intoperiodontitis. This is an infection that damages the soft tissue of the gum, and it can damage the bones that support your teeth.
Some of these suggestions can help prevent gum disease:
It is important to go to regularly scheduled dental and healthcare provider appointments. Healthcare professionals can help you create a plan and possibly prevent complications.
Gingivitis Causes and How to Treat It
A large number of people have bothhearing lossand diabetes. It is estimated that 34.5 million people have hearing loss and more than 34 million people in the United States have diabetes.
A recent study reported that hearing loss is twice as common with people who have diabetes. It is speculated that high blood glucose levels in diabetic patients may cause damage to the small blood vessels in the inner ear. However, more research needs to be conducted to confirm this theory.
Although hearing loss is gradual over time, it is important to look for symptoms. Some of the signs of hearing loss are the following:
If you feel you are experiencing hearing loss, contact a healthcare provider so they can assist you in getting the help that you need.
Diabetes Side Effects and Comorbidities
Hypoglycemiahappens when the blood sugar falls below a certain range. If the blood sugar falls below 70 mg/dL, that is considered too low. It is important to check with a healthcare professional about your specific numbers.
If you are diabetic and hypoglycemic, this may cause aninsulin shock.
Some ways to stay current with your blood sugar numbers is to:
Guidelines for Blood Glucose Monitoring
Hypoglycemia symptoms include:
If you have any of these symptoms, contact a healthcare provider right away.
How Hypoglycemia Is Diagnosed
The kidneys are an important function of the body. Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease. In fact, about one out of three adults with diabetes have kidney disease
A healthy kidney filters waste out of the bloodstream and controls blood pressure. If a kidney is not healthy, it can’t filter properly and the waste will build up.
An unhealthy kidney can also lead to other health problems. If a person has diabetes over a period of years, the kidney will become damaged, disease can occur, and eventually kidney failure can occur. This is due to the blood pressure and glucose being too high.
It is important to talk to a healthcare provider and check your kidneys to make sure they are healthy. It is recommended that you get tested every year if you have type 2 diabetes and if you’ve had type 1 diabetes for more than five years.
If a person has diabetes and is not active, eats foods high in sodium, doesn’t follow the eating plan, smokes, has heart disease, or is obese, they are at an increased risk of developing kidney disease and/or failure.
Key Nutrients in Managing Diabetes-Related Kidney Disease
When a person has diabetes, it may increase the risk of memory loss and other cognitive problems.
When the blood glucose is higher than normal, it is known to damage nerve cells and blood vessels in the body and brain. Diabetes is also known to damage the capillaries which could also cause a slow progression of memory loss.
Diabetic neuropathyhappens when there is nerve damage due to diabetes. There are different types with different symptoms. Some of the symptoms affect the internal organs, heart, and bladder.
A person who has this condition may experience pain and numbness in the feet and issues with internal organs.
With diabetic neuropathy, nerve damage happens over time. This is due to the high blood sugar, and high levels of triglycerides in the blood due to diabetes. There are different types of diabetic neuropathy, and the symptoms for each vary. These include:
Obstructive sleep apneacommonly affects people who have type 2 diabetes. Research shows that up to 83% of people with type 2 diabetes have this condition.
There is an association between this condition, insulin resistance, and glucose intolerance. More research needs to be done to conclude that treatment of obstructive sleep apnea can prevent the compilations and development of type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes affects the skin in different ways. Sometimes, certain problems with the skin such as itching, fungal infections, and bacterial infections are a sign that a person has the condition. If an individual has diabetes, they are known to get these types of skin conditions easier.
Other skin conditions that people specifically with diabetes could develop include:
When an individual has diabetes, they can develop problems with their eyes.Diabetic retinopathycan cause complete blindness and vision loss in people with diabetes.
This condition affects the blood vessels in the retina. Diabetic retinopathy can lead to:
Although there are no direct symptoms, it is important to notice any changes in the eyes. As a person with diabetes, it is important to get an eye exam once a year, including a comprehensive dilated exam. This can help with prevention and vision protection.
A Word From Verywell
If you are an individual who is living with diabetes, it is important to follow the plan that a healthcare provider has created for you. It is also important to educate yourself on your condition so you can have a healthy quality of life and prevent any complications. If you have questions or concerns about your condition, a healthcare provider can help.
15 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee.10. Cardiovascular disease and risk management:Standards of Care in Diabetes-2024.Diabetes Care. 2024;47(Suppl 1):S179-S218. doi:10.2337/dc24-S010Lee S, Patel M, Jones C, Narendran P.Cardiovascular disease and type 1 diabetes: prevalence, prediction and management in an ageing population.Ther Adv Chronic Dis. 2015;6(6):347-374. doi:10.1177/2040622315598502National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diabetes, gum disease, & other dental problems.Anwar Z, Sinha V, Mitra S, et al.Erectile dysfunction: an underestimated presentation in patients with diabetes mellitus.Indian J Psychol Med. 2017;39(5):600-604. doi:10.4103/0253-7176.217015Kalra S, Sahay R.Diabetes fatigue syndrome.Diabetes Ther. 2018;9(4):1421-1429. doi:10.1007/s13300-018-0453-xUniversity of Michigan Medicine.Frequently asked questions: diabetic foot ulcers.Cleveland Clinic.5 tips to prevent gum disease if you have diabetes.American Diabetes Association.Diabetes and hearing loss.American Diabetes Association.Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases.Diabetic kidney disease.Alzheimer’s Disease and Research Center.Diabetes, pre-diabetes and memory loss.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diabetic neuropathy.American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee.4. Comprehensive medical evaluation and assessment of comorbidities: Standards of Care in Diabetes-2024.Diabetes Care. 2024;47(Suppl 1):S52-S76. doi:10.2337/dc24-S004American Diabetes Association.Skin complications.National Eye Institute.Diabetic retinopathy.
15 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee.10. Cardiovascular disease and risk management:Standards of Care in Diabetes-2024.Diabetes Care. 2024;47(Suppl 1):S179-S218. doi:10.2337/dc24-S010Lee S, Patel M, Jones C, Narendran P.Cardiovascular disease and type 1 diabetes: prevalence, prediction and management in an ageing population.Ther Adv Chronic Dis. 2015;6(6):347-374. doi:10.1177/2040622315598502National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diabetes, gum disease, & other dental problems.Anwar Z, Sinha V, Mitra S, et al.Erectile dysfunction: an underestimated presentation in patients with diabetes mellitus.Indian J Psychol Med. 2017;39(5):600-604. doi:10.4103/0253-7176.217015Kalra S, Sahay R.Diabetes fatigue syndrome.Diabetes Ther. 2018;9(4):1421-1429. doi:10.1007/s13300-018-0453-xUniversity of Michigan Medicine.Frequently asked questions: diabetic foot ulcers.Cleveland Clinic.5 tips to prevent gum disease if you have diabetes.American Diabetes Association.Diabetes and hearing loss.American Diabetes Association.Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases.Diabetic kidney disease.Alzheimer’s Disease and Research Center.Diabetes, pre-diabetes and memory loss.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diabetic neuropathy.American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee.4. Comprehensive medical evaluation and assessment of comorbidities: Standards of Care in Diabetes-2024.Diabetes Care. 2024;47(Suppl 1):S52-S76. doi:10.2337/dc24-S004American Diabetes Association.Skin complications.National Eye Institute.Diabetic retinopathy.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee.10. Cardiovascular disease and risk management:Standards of Care in Diabetes-2024.Diabetes Care. 2024;47(Suppl 1):S179-S218. doi:10.2337/dc24-S010Lee S, Patel M, Jones C, Narendran P.Cardiovascular disease and type 1 diabetes: prevalence, prediction and management in an ageing population.Ther Adv Chronic Dis. 2015;6(6):347-374. doi:10.1177/2040622315598502National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diabetes, gum disease, & other dental problems.Anwar Z, Sinha V, Mitra S, et al.Erectile dysfunction: an underestimated presentation in patients with diabetes mellitus.Indian J Psychol Med. 2017;39(5):600-604. doi:10.4103/0253-7176.217015Kalra S, Sahay R.Diabetes fatigue syndrome.Diabetes Ther. 2018;9(4):1421-1429. doi:10.1007/s13300-018-0453-xUniversity of Michigan Medicine.Frequently asked questions: diabetic foot ulcers.Cleveland Clinic.5 tips to prevent gum disease if you have diabetes.American Diabetes Association.Diabetes and hearing loss.American Diabetes Association.Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases.Diabetic kidney disease.Alzheimer’s Disease and Research Center.Diabetes, pre-diabetes and memory loss.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diabetic neuropathy.American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee.4. Comprehensive medical evaluation and assessment of comorbidities: Standards of Care in Diabetes-2024.Diabetes Care. 2024;47(Suppl 1):S52-S76. doi:10.2337/dc24-S004American Diabetes Association.Skin complications.National Eye Institute.Diabetic retinopathy.
American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee.10. Cardiovascular disease and risk management:Standards of Care in Diabetes-2024.Diabetes Care. 2024;47(Suppl 1):S179-S218. doi:10.2337/dc24-S010
Lee S, Patel M, Jones C, Narendran P.Cardiovascular disease and type 1 diabetes: prevalence, prediction and management in an ageing population.Ther Adv Chronic Dis. 2015;6(6):347-374. doi:10.1177/2040622315598502
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diabetes, gum disease, & other dental problems.
Anwar Z, Sinha V, Mitra S, et al.Erectile dysfunction: an underestimated presentation in patients with diabetes mellitus.Indian J Psychol Med. 2017;39(5):600-604. doi:10.4103/0253-7176.217015
Kalra S, Sahay R.Diabetes fatigue syndrome.Diabetes Ther. 2018;9(4):1421-1429. doi:10.1007/s13300-018-0453-x
University of Michigan Medicine.Frequently asked questions: diabetic foot ulcers.
Cleveland Clinic.5 tips to prevent gum disease if you have diabetes.
American Diabetes Association.Diabetes and hearing loss.
American Diabetes Association.Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases.Diabetic kidney disease.
Alzheimer’s Disease and Research Center.Diabetes, pre-diabetes and memory loss.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diabetic neuropathy.
American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee.4. Comprehensive medical evaluation and assessment of comorbidities: Standards of Care in Diabetes-2024.Diabetes Care. 2024;47(Suppl 1):S52-S76. doi:10.2337/dc24-S004
American Diabetes Association.Skin complications.
National Eye Institute.Diabetic retinopathy.
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