This site is dedicated to my daughter Whitney Lemont, her husband David,
Renee my grandaughter and David's mom Sharon. Both David and his mom suffer
from diabetes and could use your prayers. He as he struggles to live a life
in light of his diabetes and Sharon as she just struggles. Whitney as she cares
for David, Renee and Sharon.
of complications hanging over your head. The question is, what are the acute
complications. What should you look for? Which part of your body will be most
affected? We will try to clarify what the most severe complications are, and
what you should watch for.
Complications usually are blood vessel diseases. These complications could
involve either the small blood vessels or the larger ones. The small ones involve
the eyes, nerves, and kidneys. The larger vessels would involve coronary heart
disease, strokes, and severe pain in the lower legs.
Kidney damage is a common complication from diabetes. The disease will vary
with each individual, as well as how fast it progresses. Diabetic nephropathy
is damage to the small blood vessels in the kidneys. This causes protein to
leak into the urine. Eventually the kidneys lose their ability to clean and
filter the blood. Dialysis may be needed to filter the toxins from the bloods.
It serves the same role as the kidney and once you start on dialysis you will
need to remain on it. The only alternative would be to have a kidney transplant.
Nerve damage for diabetics is something I am familiar with. Both my father
and stepmother suffer from diabetes caused nerve damage. Unfortunately, it
has affected their feet. Mom has a continuous burning and pain in both her
feet. She has a hard time walking and is increasingly in more pain as the disease
advances. She is unable to walk for any length of time, and needs to wear the
most comfortable sandals she can find, and wear them with a thin pair of socks.
She is in constant pain. Dad lost all sensation in his feet and was unable
to feel any pain when his toe scraped against a small carpet tack. This resulted
in the loss of several toes and a portion of his foot. Diabetics need to take
special care of their feet and legs. Even a small injury can lead to a serious
infection, festering ulcers, gangrene, and amputation of all affected parts.
In men, nerve damage may also result in impotence. Diabetic neuropathy can
affect the nerves that lead to the penis that allow for penile erection. If
the penis is not receiving the blood flow it needs because of nerve damage,
it can cause erectile dysfunction or impotence.
Another common severe complication of diabetes is complications with the eye.
Called diabetic retinopathy, it normally occurs in patients who have had diabetes
for more than five years. Blood vessel damage in the back of the eye causes
a leakage of protein and blood in the retina. It will also cause small aneurysms,
and new blood vessels may develop but will be brittle. Bleeding from the new
blood vessels can lead to scarring and a detachment of the retina causing damaged
eyesight.
Describing these complications should be enough to compel you to avoid complications
if possible. Take care of your body, eat healthy, exercise, and get the rest
you need.
