Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHeart and Blood VesselsKidney DiseaseEye DamageSlow Wound HealingPeripheral NeuropathyOther NeuropathiesSkin ConditionsOral Health ProblemsDepressionPreventionWhen to See Your DoctorNext in Type 2 Diabetes GuideWhat Is Type 2 Diabetes?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Heart and Blood Vessels
Kidney Disease
Eye Damage
Slow Wound Healing
Peripheral Neuropathy
Other Neuropathies
Skin Conditions
Oral Health Problems
Depression
Prevention
When to See Your Doctor
Next in Type 2 Diabetes Guide
Additionally,risk factors for type 2 diabetesare also risk factors for other serious conditions. The longer you’ve had diabetes, the higher your risk for developing complications. Managing your diabetes and keeping blood glucose levels within recommended ranges can help decrease your risk for several diabetes complications.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
Heart and Blood Vessel Disease
People with diabetes are twice as likely to developheart diseaseor a stroke compared to people without diabetes.Over time, uncontrolled blood glucose levels can damage your blood vessels. Heart disease, also known as cardiovascular disease, and related blood vessel diseases encompass several different health conditions.
Atherosclerosis
Diabetes can also increase your low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, considered the “bad” cholesterol. Too much of this type of cholesterol can cause your arteries to stiffen and become narrow due to fatty plaque buildup, increasing your risk of a heart attack or stroke. This is calledatherosclerosis.
When this plaque builds up in the walls of the arteries that supply blood to the heart, it is calledcoronary artery disease.
How Atherosclerosis vs. Arteriosclerosis Affects Arteries
High Blood Pressure
Many people with type 2 diabetes have high blood pressure (hypertension). High blood pressure not only increases your risk for heart attack and stroke, but it can also raise your risk of eye and kidney disease.
Taking any medications your healthcare provider has prescribed and following other lifestyle recommendations can keep your blood pressure under control.
Stroke
Strokesoften occur when a blood clot forms, blocking a blood vessel in the brain, depriving it of sufficient blood flow. This leaves the brain without enough oxygen to function properly, and some of the brain tissue becomes damaged.
Warning signs of a stroke include weakness or numbness on one side of the body, sudden confusion, trouble talking, dizziness or loss of balance, vision problems, or a severe headache.
Heart Attack
Aheart attackoccurs when a blood clot decreases blood flow to a part of the heart. If blood flow in an artery is stopped completely, the part of the heart muscle that was receiving blood from that artery begins to die.
Symptoms of a heart attack include chest pain, discomfort, tightness, or pressure, feelings of indigestion or heartburn, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, sweating, fatigue, light-headedness, or discomfort in one or both of your arms, back, jaw, neck, or upper abdomen.
A heart attack requires immediate medical attention in order to improve blood flow to the heart. Your healthcare provider may recommend different medications and lifestyle changes according to how much damage your heart has sustained, as well as how severe the heart disease was that caused the heart attack.
Heart Failure
Heart failure is when the heart doesn’t pump blood well enough to meet the body’s needs. It can occur as a result of a heart attack or due to progressive damage to the heart muscle over time.
Heart failure symptoms include shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue (which may limit your activity), coughing, confusion, and swelling in your hands, feet, legs, or abdomen.
Depending on your symptoms and risk factors, your doctor may do tests to monitor for heart failure. The condition is treated with lifestyle changes, medications, and sometimes devices or surgery.
Reducing Your Risk of Heart and Blood Vessel ProblemsYour risk of heart and blood vessel disease is increased if you have high blood glucose levels, high cholesterol, if you smoke, or are overweight. Changing your lifestyle and adopting healthier habits can help reduce your risk of developing heart and blood vessel problems.This includes managing your blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels, maintaining a healthy weight, eating a heart-healthy diet, such as the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet or Mediterranean diet (including whole grains; fruits and vegetables; beans, nuts, and seeds; moderate amounts of dairy, eggs, poultry, and fish; and occasional red meat),getting regular physical activity, and quitting smoking if you smoke.
Reducing Your Risk of Heart and Blood Vessel Problems
Your risk of heart and blood vessel disease is increased if you have high blood glucose levels, high cholesterol, if you smoke, or are overweight. Changing your lifestyle and adopting healthier habits can help reduce your risk of developing heart and blood vessel problems.This includes managing your blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels, maintaining a healthy weight, eating a heart-healthy diet, such as the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet or Mediterranean diet (including whole grains; fruits and vegetables; beans, nuts, and seeds; moderate amounts of dairy, eggs, poultry, and fish; and occasional red meat),getting regular physical activity, and quitting smoking if you smoke.
Your risk of heart and blood vessel disease is increased if you have high blood glucose levels, high cholesterol, if you smoke, or are overweight. Changing your lifestyle and adopting healthier habits can help reduce your risk of developing heart and blood vessel problems.
This includes managing your blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels, maintaining a healthy weight, eating a heart-healthy diet, such as the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet or Mediterranean diet (including whole grains; fruits and vegetables; beans, nuts, and seeds; moderate amounts of dairy, eggs, poultry, and fish; and occasional red meat),getting regular physical activity, and quitting smoking if you smoke.
Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease.Diabetic nephropathy can cause permanent decreased kidney function and lead tochronic kidney disease.
The kidneys work to filter waste products from our blood. High blood glucose levels make the kidneys filter too much blood, putting strain on the kidneys. If this increased demand continues over time, protein may be lost in the urine.
Eventually, the kidneys can lose their ability to properly filter the blood, leading to waste buildup in the blood. If your kidneys have extensive damage, it can lead to end-stage renal disease, and you may needdialysisor akidney transplant.
Simple urine testslike the urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) test can reveal early signs of chronic kidney disease or kidney damage, so testing is important to assess your risk. The sooner you catch any signs of damage, the more you can do to slow further kidney damage and prevent or delay kidney failure. Keeping your blood glucose levels and blood pressure under control, for example, can help.
Chronic Kidney Disease
Diabetic retinopathy, or eye disease, can cause vision loss and blindness. High blood glucose levels can damage your retina, leading to conditions such as cataracts and glaucoma and damage to the retina’s blood vessels, potentially leading to blindness.
If you have diabetes, it’s recommended to get a dilated eye exam each year. This is because diabetic retinopathy may not have any early symptoms, but detecting it through an annual eye exam can help you take action to protect your eyes. Keeping your blood glucose levels under control can also help prevent or delay vision problems.
Diabetes can decrease the ability of the skin to heal itself, due to an impaired immune response.In people with diabetes, wound healing is of special concern in the feet, due to the increased risk of nerve damage and poor circulation to the feet.
It’s important for people with diabetes to perform daily self foot exams for cuts or wounds. Even minor cuts and scratches on the feet that go unnoticed or are not properly cared for can worsen and develop into afoot ulcer.
Diabetic foot ulcers are lingering wounds that don’t heal well and are more likely to become infected. They are a leading cause of lower limb amputations and disability in people with diabetes.
Cellulitis: Everything You Need to Know
Peripheral neuropathyis the most common form of neuropathy (nerve damage) in people with diabetes. It generally affects the feet and legs but sometimes affects the hands and arms. Oftentimes symptoms are felt as tingling and numbness or increased sensitivity and pain in the extremities.
Peripheral neuropathy increases the risk of foot problems such as blisters, sores, foot ulcers, and changes in the shape of your feet and toes. You may have a loss of balance, increasing your risk of being injured due to falling. Some people with peripheral neuropathy experience grief, anxiety, and depression due to chronic pain.
Manydifferent types of neuropathiesaffect people with diabetes. Below are other types of neuropathy that might occur if you have diabetes.
Autonomic Neuropathy
Autonomic neuropathy is when the nerves that control your internal organs are damaged. This can bring about issues with your heart rate, blood pressure, digestive system, bladder, sex organs, sweat glands, and eyes. It can also cause you to be unaware of low blood glucose levels.
Mononeuropathy (Focal Neuropathy)
Mononeuropathy, or focal neuropathy, is a less common form of neuropathy that is usually the result of damage to a single nerve. It most often occurs in the hands, legs, head, or torso. The most common type of focal neuropathy is an entrapment (a trapped nerve) calledcarpal tunnel syndrome.
Proximal Neuropathy
Proximal neuropathy is a rare and disabling type of nerve damage that occurs in the hip, buttocks, or thigh. Usually, only one side of your body is affected. In rare cases, it can spread to both sides. Symptoms include pain, weakness, and/or loss of reflexes in the hip, buttock, or thigh, or legs, as well as muscle wasting or weight loss.
Treatment may include medication for pain, physical therapy to improve strength or occupational therapy to help with daily activities. Symptoms tend to get worse at first, then slowly improve over time, usually months or years.
People with diabetes are prone toconditions of the skin, such as bacterial infections, fungal infections, itching, discolored skin patches, rashes, diabetic blisters, and other bumps on the skin. Some of these conditions are harmless and don’t require any treatment, while others are more serious and require medical attention.
Preventing these conditions includes taking good care of your skin, such as keeping it clean, avoiding very hot showers or baths, using moisturizing soaps and lotions (don’t put lotion between the toes), and promptly treating any cuts or scratches.
It is a good idea to visit with your healthcare provider or a dermatologist if you have any concerns about your skin, or if you are unable to resolve a skin problem on your own.
People with diabetes are at increased risk forperiodontal (gum) disease, which can lead to mouth pain, problems chewing, lingering bad breath, and tooth loss.
Treatment for oral health problems varies depending on the underlying issue but might include a deep oral cleaning, medications, mouth rinses, or surgery.
People with diabetes have a twofold to threefold increased risk of having depression compared to people without diabetes.Experts are unclear of the exact connection between diabetes and depression, however, factors include the high demands of managing diabetes, especially if you take insulin, have poor glycemic control, or have other diabetes complications.
Signs of depression include feelings of sadness, loneliness, or hopelessness, a loss of interest in things you once enjoyed, changes in appetite or sleeping habits, or even physical symptoms such as pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems.
Seeking and obtaining treatment for depression is important for your mental health, and may help improve your diabetes management as well.
Managing and Preventing Complications of Diabetes
If a Complication Is Suspected
If you or your healthcare provider thinks there is a problem, a conversation about an action plan is in order. This may lead to specific questions regarding your symptoms or certain exams, tests, or procedures.
The good news is that with attention to diabetes management, many complications can be prevented, delayed, identified early, and/or successfully treated. Some diabetes complications require more care and treatment than others.
It’s important to communicate with your healthcare provider concerning your diagnosis and treatment and follow any recommendations set out in your care plan.
Your primary care health professional may refer you to a diabetes specialist, such as anendocrinologist, to better manage your condition. You may be referred to other specialists depending on the complication, such as a podiatrist, ophthalmologist, nephrologist, or dermatologist.
A Word From Verywell
Diabetes can be an overwhelming condition, especially when faced with all the possible symptoms that could occur. Not everyone with diabetes goes on to develop severe or chronic complications. Try to take one day at a time and focus on what you can do that day to manage your diabetes successfully. It’s never too late to start working towards better health.
16 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.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Put the brakes on diabetes complications.American Diabetes Association.Stroke.American Diabetes Association.Cardiovascular disease.American Heart Association.Heart failure signs and symptoms.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-S010National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diabetic kidney disease.National Eye Institute.Diabetic retinopathy.National Institutes of Health.Poor immune response impairs diabetic wound healing.American Podiatric Medical Association.Diabetic wound care.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Peripheral neuropathy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Autonomic neuropathy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Focal neuropathies.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Proximal neuropathy.American Diabetes Association.Diabetes and skin complications.National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.Diabetes and oral health.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diabetes and mental health.
16 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.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Put the brakes on diabetes complications.American Diabetes Association.Stroke.American Diabetes Association.Cardiovascular disease.American Heart Association.Heart failure signs and symptoms.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-S010National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diabetic kidney disease.National Eye Institute.Diabetic retinopathy.National Institutes of Health.Poor immune response impairs diabetic wound healing.American Podiatric Medical Association.Diabetic wound care.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Peripheral neuropathy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Autonomic neuropathy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Focal neuropathies.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Proximal neuropathy.American Diabetes Association.Diabetes and skin complications.National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.Diabetes and oral health.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diabetes and mental health.
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.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Put the brakes on diabetes complications.
American Diabetes Association.Stroke.
American Diabetes Association.Cardiovascular disease.
American Heart Association.Heart failure signs and symptoms.
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National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diabetic kidney disease.
National Eye Institute.Diabetic retinopathy.
National Institutes of Health.Poor immune response impairs diabetic wound healing.
American Podiatric Medical Association.Diabetic wound care.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Peripheral neuropathy.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Autonomic neuropathy.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Focal neuropathies.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Proximal neuropathy.
American Diabetes Association.Diabetes and skin complications.
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.Diabetes and oral health.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diabetes and mental health.
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