Synonyms in a broader sense
Sugar, diabetes, adult-onset diabetes, type I, type II, gestational diabetes.
Diabetic microangiopathy
Elevated blood sugar levels cause sugar to accumulate in the vessel walls, causing them to thicken and vascular occlusion. Especially the small vessels of the retina, kidneys and nervous system with their small diameter are affected.
- Late sequelae of the eye: diabetic retinopathyThe retina is less well supplied with blood due to the above mentioned vascular changes, which leads to a loss of vision.
In addition to an unfavorably adjusted metabolic state, high blood pressure and smoking further aggravate the course of diabetic retinopathy. 90% of type 1 diabetics and 25% of type 2 diabetics develop diabetic retinopathy after 15 years.
- Late effects on the kidney: diabetic nephropathySugar deposits on the small vessels of the kidney disrupt the kidney’s blood circulation and its filtering function. This functional impairment is clinically visible in the presence of proteins detectable in the urine that originate from the blood (microalbuminuria).
This damage to the kidney can lead to kidney failure, which requires artificial blood washing (dialysis). After 25 years of illness, 35% of diabetics develop kidney damage in the form of diabetic nephropathy with the consequence of chronic kidney failure.
Patients with ischemic, i.e. poorly perfused, diabetic feet also have wound healing disorders, so that small injuries can lead to ulcerations. In contrast to the above-mentioned nerve-related disease, patients are in great pain and can therefore only cover a limited distance on foot.
No pulses can be felt and the feet are usually discolored bluish. It is therefore important that older diabetics examine their feet daily for injuries and present themselves to the doctor if they notice a wound or a poorly healing injury. It is therefore important that older diabetics examine their feet daily for injuries and report to their doctor if they notice a wound or a poorly healing injury.
