Diabetic complications are of two kinds, viz. acute (short term) and chronic (long term). Regular monitoring by the patients, the doctors and the nurses is an absolute necessity in view of these complications and risks involved.
Short term complications
Imbalance of sugar level is the chief cause of short term complication. High level sugar leads to Hyperglycemia which when untreated leads to coma or even death. Death is rare in people not dependent on insulin. Hyperglycemia is very serious when the blood sugar level is more than 20. It is also connected with ketones in urine. Undiagnosed diabetes causes hyperglycemia. It is seen first through an illness directly caused by high sugar levels.
In sufficient medication in tablet or insulin form, illness can cause hyperglycemia. Colds and other infections cause the body to release more of its own sugar. A bad diet with excess sugar can cause hyperglycemia as also change in exercise habits. Subnormal sugar causes hyperglycemia which is also dangerous. It is caused by insufficient intake of food like missing a meal or not eating enough causing sugar levels to go low. Too much insulin is also a problem. Exercise affects low sugar levels. Lot of exercise makes glucose give off energy to muscles and so a diabetic who does exercise must take extra calories or reduce his insulin.
Long Term Complications
Diabetes affects the circulation to the back of the eye. In its serious long term complication fragile new blood vessels are formed which can easily burst causing a haemorrhage which can blind the eye.
Another complication is related to the kidneys. Kidney failure is due to the damage in small blood vessels. The sign of damage is the presence of a protein-albumin in the urine. Strict control of blood pressure in diabetics can prevent this going on to destroy kidneys. Diabetes attacks smaller blood vessels causing ulcers that do not cure easily. So diabetics should look after their feet properly.
Diabetes can damage the sensory nerves resulting in loss of sensation in feet leading to damage in feet and wounds without one?s knowledge. Diabetes can damage automatic nerves that control blood pressure. This damage causes blood pressure to fall.
Diabetes can also cause heart disease and so blood pressure should be controlled by a diabetic as also cholesterol to be out of danger.