Other health problems can occur if blood sugar levels get out of control. However, if you know the warning signs of diabetes complications, you can nip them in the bud or prevent them from getting worse.
Nerve damage
Nerve damage usually starts in the hands and feet. But it can also affect the stomach, intestines, bladder, genitals, heart, and other parts of the body. Seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur.
- Tingling, pain, or numbness in the hands and feet.
- Gastrointestinal discomfort such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
- A range of bladder infections or bladder emptying problems.
- Problems with getting or keeping an erection.
- Dizziness and lightheadedness.
People with nerve damage can improve or slow the damage by controlling blood sugar levels. Certain supplements and medications for pain, nausea, or sexual problems may also help.
Skin problems
Skin problems such as yeast infections are a warning that blood sugar levels are too high. The following symptoms may occur.
- Itching in moist skin folds (such as under the breasts, between the fingers and toes, or in the armpits).
- Itching, pain, or discharge from the vagina.
- Itching under the foreskin in uncircumcised men.
Physicians may prescribe medications to treat yeast infections, especially if the patient has such infections frequently.
Watch for other skin symptoms:
- Hair loss on the toes, feet, or lower legs.
- Brown spots on the skin bulges on the sides of the neck, armpits, or groin, which are called acanthosis nigricans.
Eye injury
The sooner you treat eye problems, the better. If you notice any of the following warning signs, seek immediate medical attention.
- Blurred vision.
- Hard to read.
- See halos or dark spots around lights.
- Very sensitive to sunlight and other bright lights.
- Can’t see clearly at night.
Eye damage does not always cause symptoms, even if the damage has worsened. Therefore, it is important to see your eye doctor at least once a year for a complete exam.
Emergency warning signs
If blood sugar remains very high, it can lead to more serious illness, including coma and even death. Seek immediate medical attention if the following symptoms occur.
- Very tired.
- Weight loss.
- Feeling very hungry.
- Frequent thirst and urination.
Comorbidities without warning signs
Some of the following serious health problems associated with diabetes may not present with any symptoms.
- Kidney disease.
- High blood pressure.
- Heart disease.
For people with diabetes, symptoms associated with heart disease may not occur even after a heart attack. In people with kidney disease, warning signs may not appear until the kidneys are damaged.
But even in the absence of symptoms, problems can be detected early, or the risk of problems can be reduced, by doing the following:
- Visit your doctor at least once a year.
- Take your diabetes medications as prescribed by your doctor.
- If overweight, try to lose weight.
- Eat healthy and don’t skip any meals.
- Exercise regularly.
- If you smoke, get help and quit.
- Control your blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol levels with the assistance of your doctor.