Embarrassing Illnesses

If your diabetes isn't treated, it can lead to many different health problems. Large amounts of glucose can damage blood vessels, nerves and organs, and even a mildly raised glucose level that doesn't cause any symptoms can have damaging effects in the long term.

Heart disease and stroke

If you have diabetes, you're up to five times more likely to suffer heart disease and stroke compared with people without diabetes. Prolonged, poorly controlled blood glucose levels increase the likelihood of atherosclerosis (furring up and narrowing of the blood vessels).

This may result in poor blood supply to the heart, causing angina. It also increases the chance that a blood vessel in your heart or brain will become completely blocked, causing a heart attack or stroke.

Nerve damage

High blood glucose levels can damage the tiny blood vessels of your nerves. This can lead to a tingling or burning pain that spreads from your fingers and toes up through your limbs. If the nerves in your digestive system are affected, you may experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation.

Retinopathy

Retinopathy is damage to the retina at the back of the eye. Blood vessels in the retina of your eye can become blocked, leaky, or grow haphazardly. This prevents the light from fully passing through to your retina. If left untreated, it can damage your vision.

The better you control your blood sugar levels, the less chance you have of serious eye problems. Having an annual eye check by a specialist (an ophthalmologist or an optometrist) can help to pick up signs of any potentially serious eye problems early on, so that they can be treated.

Diabetic retinopathy can be managed by laser treatment if it's caught early enough. It's important to realise, however, that this will only preserve the sight you have, not make it better.

Kidney disease

If the small blood vessels of your kidney become blocked and leaky, your kidneys will work less efficiently. In rare, severe cases, this can lead to kidney failure and the need for a kidney transplant.

Foot problems

Damage to the nerves of the foot can mean that small nicks and cuts are not noticed, leading to the development of a foot ulcer. About one in 10 people with diabetes get foot ulcers, which can cause serious infection.

Check your feet every day and report any changes to your doctor, nurse or podiatrist. Look out for sores and cuts that don’t heal, puffiness or swelling and skin that feels hot to the touch. You should also have a foot examination at least once a year.

Sexual dysfunction

In men with diabetes (especially those who smoke), damage to the nerves and blood vessels can lead to erection problems. This may be treated with medication.

Women with diabetes may experience a reduced sex drive, reduced pleasure from sex, a lack of vaginal lubrication, a reduced ability to orgasm, or painful sex. Women who suffer from a lack of vaginal lubrication or painful sex may find a vaginal lubricant or water-based gel very helpful.

Miscarriage and stillbirth

Pregnant women with diabetes have an increased risk of miscarriage and stillbirth. If their blood sugar level is not carefully controlled in the early stages of pregnancy, there is also an increased risk of the baby developing a serious birth defect.

Pregnant women with diabetes will usually have their antenatal check-ups in hospital or in a diabetic clinic, where doctors can keep a close eye on their blood sugar levels and control their insulin dosage more easily.