Diabetes can affect you from your head to your toes. Inadequately managed blood sugar can lead to a range of health issues over time.

The longer you’ve had diabetes, the higher your risk for complications becomes. It’s essential that you learn about the potential long-term effects of type 2 diabetes, as well as the steps you can take to prevent them from occurring.

In this article, we’ll go over some of the complications of type 2 diabetes, as well as how to prevent them, and when you should talk with your doctor.

Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemiais one of the most common short-term effects oftype 2 diabetes。Blood sugar levels change throughout the day. If your blood sugar drops too low, it can be dangerous.

低血糖的症状包括：

  • feeling anxious, hungry, or weak
  • nausea
  • 出汗或感到狂热
  • dizziness or lightheadedness
  • headaches
  • tingling or numbness in hands or feet

Extremely low blood sugar can even cause fainting or seizures.

监测血糖以防止低血糖症。如果您有症状或糖在下面70 mg/dl, attempt to raise it by following the American Diabetes Association’s “15-15 Rule.”

Eat 15 grams of carbohydrates, wait 15 minutes, and check again. If it’s still too low, try again. Once things are back to normal, have a normal meal or a nutrient-dense snack. This will help to prevent hypoglycemia from recurring.

Hyperglycemia

Hyperglycemiais high blood sugar. Eating more carbohydrates or sugar than your body can handle can sometimes causes hyperglycemia.

Symptoms of hyperglycemia include:

  • thirst
  • 排尿增加
  • 尿液中的糖过多

You can check your urine for ketones with anat-home urine test kit如果您的医生确认您正在通过测试经历高血糖。如果尿液测试显示ketones, you should not exercise — it can be harmful. Read more on this below.

Talk with your doctor about the safest ways for you to lower your sugar levels.

糖尿病酮症酸中毒

有时称为酮症酸中毒diabetic ketoacidosisor DKA. Ketoacidosis is a dangerous, life-threatening condition.

Ketoacidosis happens when your body doesn’t have enough insulin. When this happens, your body starts to break down fats to convert into energy. While this might sound helpful, it’s not — it creates ketones.

Ketones are a waste product, so your body tries to get rid of them with increased urine production. Unfortunately, your body can’t produce or get rid of enough urine to get ketones to a manageable level. The ketones then move to the blood, where they build up, leading to ketoacidosis.

Ketoacidosis must be treated immediately. Symptoms to watch for include:

  • shortness of breath or heavy breathing
  • 口干
  • nausea and vomiting
  • fruity-smelling breath

If you have any of these symptoms, seek medical help immediately.

高摩尔高血糖状态

这种罕见但严重的病情在年龄较大的人或患有共存疾病或感染的人中更为普遍。

Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic state/syndrome (HHNS)is when blood sugar is too high but no ketones are present. This is an emergency condition that must be treated immediately.

HHN的症状严重且具体：

  • vision loss
  • hallucinations
  • 弱点down one side of the body
  • confusion
  • extreme thirst
  • fever or warm skin without sweat

It’s always important to monitor your blood sugar levels, but it’s absolutely vital if you’re otherwise ill. If your sugar is too high, contact your doctor. If your sugar is too high and you’re experiencing any of the symptoms of HHNS, seek emergency help.

High blood pressure

患有2型糖尿病的人应始终监测他们的blood pressure。High blood pressure, also calledhypertension, is both a short- and long-term problem that can lead to very serious issues. These include:

  • heart attack
  • stroke
  • 视力问题
  • kidney disease

People with type 2 diabetes should aim for blood pressure below140/80（如果您已经患有肾脏或视力并发症或任何类型cerebrovascular disease).

Take steps to keep blood pressure in check. Alow-sodium diet, regular exercise, and stress reduction can help. If you smoke,consider cutting back or quitting。

Your doctor can also prescribe medications to help treat hypertension.

Cardiovascular disease

Over time, unmanaged blood sugar can damage your arteries. Diabetes also tends to raisetriglycerides和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇, which is the “bad” cholesterol that can clog your arteries and increase your risk ofheart attack。

People with diabetes are more likely to develop cardiovascular or heart disease. To prevent this, talk with your doctor about addressing the main risk factors:

  • manage your blood pressure and cholesterol levels
  • maintain a moderate weight
  • eat balanced and nutrient-dense foods
  • exercise regularly if you can

如果您抽烟，请考虑减少或退出。抽烟 increases the risk of heart disease in people with diabetes.

Stroke

Moststrokesoccur when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel in the brain. People with diabetes are1.5 times more likelyto have a stroke, according to the American Diabetes Association.

Other factors that may increase your risk of a stroke include:

  • high blood pressure
  • 抽烟
  • 心脏疾病
  • high cholesterol
  • being overweight or having obesity

If you have any of these risk factors, talk with your doctor about treatment to lower your risk.

Vision problems

Diabetes can cause damage to the tiny blood vessels in your eyes. This increases your chances of developing seriouseye conditionslike:

These conditions can result in vision loss and even blindness over time.

Make sure to schedule regular eye exams with an ophthalmologist. Any change in your vision should be taken seriously.

Early detection of vision problems can prevent serious problems. For example, early detection of diabetic retinopathy, for example, can prevent or postpone blindness in 90 percent 患有糖尿病的人。

脚溃疡

Damage to nerves and circulation problems caused by diabetes can lead to foot problems, likefoot ulcers。

If an ulcer forms and isn’t addressed, it can become infected and lead to坏疽or even amputation.

您可以正确防止这些问题foot care。Here are some steps you can take:

  • 保持脚清洁，干燥并免受伤害。
  • Wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes with comfortable socks.
  • Check your feet and toes frequently for any red patches, sores, or blisters.
  • 如果您发现任何脚部问题，请立即与您的医生联系。

Nerve damage

Your risk for nerve damage and pain, known asdiabetic neuropathy, increases the longer you’ve had type 2 diabetes. Neuropathy is one of the most common diabetes complications.

There are different kinds of diabetic neuropathy. If it affects your hands and feet, it’s called周围神经病。If it affects the nerves that control organs in your body, it’s calledautonomic neuropathy。

Depending on what parts of the body are affected, symptoms may include:

  • 麻木，刺痛或燃烧在您的手或脚上
  • stabbing or shooting pains
  • 视力问题
  • sensitivity to touch
  • chronic pain
  • 腹泻
  • 失去平衡
  • 弱点
  • loss of control of bladder or bowels (incontinence)
  • erectile dysfunction in people who have a penis
  • 阴道的阴道干燥

Gastroparesis

If blood sugar levels remain high over a long period of time, damage to the vagus nerve can occur. Thevagus nerveis the nerve that controls the movement of food through the digestive tract. This is another kind of autonomic neuropathy.

Gastroparesishappens when the vagus nerve is damaged or stops working. When this happens, the stomach takes longer than it usually does to empty its contents. This is called delayed gastric emptying.

Symptoms of gastroparesis include:

  • nausea and vomiting
  • heartburn
  • feeling of fullness
  • bloating
  • loss of appetite
  • 减肥
  • 胃痉挛

Gastroparesis can make it more difficult to manage blood glucose levels since food absorption is less predictable. The best way to prevent gastroparesis is to manage your blood sugar levels over time.

如果您确实发展了胃轻瘫，则需要与医生一起调整胰岛素方案。

Try to avoid eating高纤维，高脂食品, as they take longer to digest. Eating small meals throughout the day instead of fewer large meals can also help prevent gastroparesis.

Kidney damage

Not monitoring and managing blood sugar levels or blood pressure can lead to kidney disease. Over time, high levels of blood sugar can impair your kidney’s ability to filter waste. It’s essential to keep your blood glucose and blood pressure levels managed to prevent this.

有不同的风险因素kidney disease。遗传学发挥了作用，因此，如果您有肾脏疾病的家族史，请与您的医生交谈。

肾脏疾病的某些症状是如此普遍，因此可以被忽视，例如弱点或睡眠问题。对于2型糖尿病的人来说，最常见的信号是尿液中的蛋白质。Talk with your doctor to schedule regular visits to check for protein.

Mental health

Scientists don’t yet fully understand the link betweendiabetes and mental health。But they do know that people with diabetes are at a较高的风险of experiencing certain conditions, including anxiety, stress, and depression.

糖尿病可以压力和情感上的衰竭。If you’re starting to feel isolated or sad because of your diabetes, or if you feel like your stress is increasing, it can be helpful to talk with a mental health professional.

Ask your doctor for a referral to a mental health professional experienced in working with people with diabetes. You should also consider taking an antidepressant or anti-anxiety medication if your doctor recommends it.

Dementia

Researchers are still trying to understand the connection betweendementia-related conditions和type 2 diabetes. There’s someevidencethat high blood sugar or high insulin can cause harm to the brain.

Research has shown some associations with an increased risk for the following cognitive conditions:

  • 轻度认知障碍
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • vascular dementia

A 2021 study found that having diabetes at a younger age may increase the likelihood of developing dementia. More research needs to be done to determine all of the reasons for this association.

A 2020 study seemed to indicate that people living with type 2 diabetes were36 percentmore likely to develop vascular dementia than those without diabetes. But they didn’t find that there was an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Tooth decay

在管理不善的糖尿病中，小血管经常受到损害。这包括有助于滋养牙齿和牙龈的小血管，这使您面临着牙齿腐烂，牙龈感染和牙周疾病的风险。

According to the American Dental Association, periodontal disease occurs in22 percent患有糖尿病的人。

To reduce your risk of dental issues, see a dentist every 6 months for a checkup. Brush your teeth with a fluoride-containing toothpaste, and floss at least once a day.

You can prevent long-term effects of type 2 diabetes with lifestyle changes, medications, and being proactive about your diabetes care.

  • Keep blood sugar levels within the recommended range.Talk with your doctor or diabetes educator if you aren’t sure about your blood glucose target.
  • Consider making changes to your diet and exercise routine, if you can.避免糖和高碳水化合物、高进程d foods. This includes candy, sugary drinks, white bread, rice, and pasta. All of this can help you maintain a healthy weight.
  • 照顾您的心理健康。Find ways to reduce stress. You can also be on the lookout for signs of depression.
  • Consider cutting back on or quitting smoking.

组装医疗团队并安排定期检查。您的初级保健医生可以帮助您了解您应该定期访问的专家。

即使您没有任何新症状，也要确保定期去看医生进行检查。早期治疗可以帮助预防与糖尿病有关的并发症。

You can still live a long life free of complications with type 2 diabetes. Greater awareness of the risk factors is the key to reducing the impact of diabetes on your body.