This document discusses common complications that can arise from diabetes. It covers complications that can affect the heart, kidneys, eyes, nerves, skin, and feet. Maintaining good control of blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol is important for preventing or delaying diabetes complications like heart disease, kidney disease, and eye problems. Taking good care of feet by daily examination and wearing proper footwear can help prevent foot complications like ulcers, infections, and possible amputation.

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Complications of Diabetes
Pennington Biomedical Research Center
Division of Education

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 Heart Disease
 Kidney Disease/Kidney
Transplantation
 Eye Complications
 Diabetic Neuropathy and Nerve
Damage
 Foot Complications
 Skin Complications
 Gastroparesis and Diabetes
 Depression
Common Potential Complications of
Diabetes

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Heart Disease
 Caused by a narrowing or
blocking of the blood vessels to
your heart.
 The vessels carry oxygen and
nutrients to your heart.
 Vessels can become partially or
totally blocked by fatty
deposits.
 A heart attack - when the blood
supply to your heart is reduced
or cut off.

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 Diabetes increases the risk for
coronary artery disease, a heart
attack or stroke.
 Take preventive steps now.
 Keep your ABCs of diabetes on
target.
Heart Disease and Diabetes

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“A” is for A1C A1C is the blood glucose check “with a memory” over the past 2 to 3
months.
“B” is for blood
pressure
The ADA recommends a blood pressure below 130/80.
“C” is for
cholesterol
HDL protects your heart.
LDL can clog your blood vessels, leading to heart disease.
Triglycerides can increase your risk for heart disease.
“The ABCs”

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Kidney Function
 Kidneys act as filters.
 Kidneys remove waste products from the
blood.
 We create waste products from digestion.
 Normally, waste products are eliminated in
urine from the body.
 Protein and red blood cells are too big to pass
through the filter and remain in the blood.

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Kidney Disease
 High levels of blood sugar can put extra stress on
the kidneys.
 After years of damage, the kidneys start to leak.
 Useful proteins are lost in the urine.
 Get a condition known as microalbuminuria.
 There are several treatments at this point that may
keep the kidney disease from getting worse.
 When kidney disease is diagnosed later, during
macroalbuminuria, end-stage renal disease (ESRD)
usually follows.

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Kidney Disease
 Kidneys lose their filtering ability.
 Waste products begin to build up in the
blood.
 Finally, the kidneys fail.
 ESRD
 kidney transplant or
 regular visits to a dialysis clinic.

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Who Gets Kidney Disease?
 Factors that influence kidney disease development
include:
 Genetics
 Blood pressure
 Blood sugar control
 Controlling blood sugar and blood pressure are very
important in reducing the chances of developing kidney
disease.

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Facts About Diabetes and
Kidney Disease
 Nephropathy - 10-21% of diabetes cases.
 ~ 43% of new cases of ESRD are attributed to
diabetes.
 12 times higher in people with type 1 diabetes
 4 times higher in African Americans,
 4 to 6 times higher in Mexican Americans
 6 times higher in Native Americans
than in the general population of diabetes patients.

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---Eye Complications---
 Higher risk of blindness.
 Many have minor eye disorders.
 Early treatments critical.

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Glaucoma
 Pressure build-up in the eye.
 Pinches the blood vessels.
 Damages nerves.
 Vision is gradually lost.
 40% more likely to suffer from
glaucoma.
 Risk increases with age and
duration of diabetes.

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Cataracts
 The eye’s clear lens clouds,
blocking light.
 Wear sunglasses
 Use glare-control lenses in
eyeglasses.
 Damaged lens –
 remove.
 transplant.

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 Individuals with diabetes are:
 60% more likely to develop cataracts
 at a younger age
 faster progression
 have problems if removal of the lens is necessary
due to the beginning stages of glaucoma
Cataracts

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Retinopathy
 Diabetic retinopathy is a general term
for all disorders of the retina caused
by diabetes.
 There are 2 major types of
retinopathy:
 Nonproliferative: This is the common, mild
form.
 Proliferative: This form is much more
serious.

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 There are several factors that
influence whether you get
retinopathy:
 Blood sugar control
 Blood pressure levels
 How long you have had diabetes
 Genetics
 Almost everyone with type 1
diabetes will eventually develop
nonproliferative retinopathy.
Retinopathy

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Diabetic Neuropathy & Nerve Damage
 ~50% have some form of nerve damage.
 It’s more common in those who have had the
disease for many years.
 Blood glucose control can help prevent or
delay nerve damage.

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2 Common Types of Nerve Damage
 Sensorimotor neuropathy:
 Also known as “peripheral neuropathy”
 Can cause tingling, pain, numbness, or weakness in
hands and feet.
 Autonomic neuropathy: Can lead to
 Digestive problems such as feeling full, nausea
 Vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation
 Problems with how well the bladder works
 Problems having sex
 Dizziness or faintness
 Loss of the typical warning signs of a heart attack
 Loss of warning signs of low blood glucose
 Increased or decreased sweating
 Changes in how your eyes react to light and dark

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Keep Your Blood Glucose Levels in
Your Target Range
 It is important to:
 Report all possible signs of diabetic
neuropathy
 Get treatment right away if you have
problems.
 Take good care of your feet, checking them
every day.
 Protect your feet. Wear shoes and socks that
fit well and wear them all the time.
 Purchase special shoes, if they are needed.
 Be careful with exercising. Some activities are
not safe for individuals with neuropathy.

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Foot complications
 Skin Changes
 Calluses
 Foot Ulcers
 Poor Circulation
 Amputation

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Skin Changes and Calluses
 Skin Changes:
 Dry skin and feet.
 Seal remaining moisture in with plain petroleum jelly,
unscented hand cream, or a similar product.
 It is important not to put oils or creams between toes.
 Calluses
 Occur more often and build up faster.
 May need therapeutic shoes and inserts.
 Calluses can lead to ulcers (open sores).
 Never try to cut calluses yourself– this can lead to
infection.
 Let your healthcare provider cut them.

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Foot Ulcers and Poor Circulation
 Foot Ulcers
 Every ulcer should be seen by your health care provider
immediately.
 Can result in infections, potentially leading to loss of a limb.
 It is important to keep off of your feet.
 Poor Circulation
 Can lead to infection and delay healing.
 To improve poor circulation:
 Stop smoking and keep blood pressure and cholesterol
in check
 Exercise improves circulation. It increases blood flow. Exercise
is a good idea for individuals who currently do not have any
open sores on the foot. Proper shoes are essential.

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Amputation
 Highly likely in diabetes.
 Due to artery disease, which
reduces blood flow to the feet and
nerve damage, which reduces
sensation.
 These can lead to ulcers and
infections that may lead to
amputation.
 Amputations are preventable.

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Amputation - Prevention
 Take good care of your
feet.
 Always follow your health
care provider’s advice
when caring for foot
problems.
 Stop smoking!
 Smoking decreases blood
flow to the feet.

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Skin Complications
 Bacterial infections
 Fungal infections
 Itching
 Diabetic Dermopathy
 Necrobiosis Lipoidica
Diabeticorum
 Atherosclerosis
 Allergic Reactions
 Diabetic Blisters
 Eruptive Xanthomatosis
 Digital Sclerosis
 Disseminated Granuloma
Annulare
 Acanthosis Nigricans

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Bacterial and Fungal Infections
 Bacterial infections
 Many kinds.
 Styes.
 Boils.
 Carbuncles.
 Inflamed tissues are usually hot,
swollen, red, and painful.
 Treated by antibiotics.
 Fungal infections
 Candida albicans is a yeast-like
fungus.
 Leads to common fungal infections.
 Can be treated by medication.
Stye
Athlete’s foot

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Itching and Diabetic Dermopathy
 Itching
 Localized.
 Can be caused by a yeast infection, dry skin, or poor circulation.
 Occurs often in the lower parts of the legs.
 Use mild soap with moisturizer, and apply skin cream after bathing to
help resolve the issue.
 Diabetic Dermopathy
 Changes in the small blood vessels.
 Looks like light brown, scaly patches.
 The disorder most often occurs on the front of both legs.
 The patches do not hurt, open up, or itch.
 Dermopathy is harmless and does not require treatment.

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Atherosclerosis and Allergic Reactions
 Atherosclerosis
 Thickening of the arteries
 Occurs at younger ages.
 Can lead to skin changes.
 Skin becomes hairless, thin, cool, and shiny.
 Affected legs heal slowly when the skin is injured.
 Allergic Reactions
 In response to medications, such as insulin or diabetes pills.
 If you think you are having a reaction to a medication, contact
your doctor immediately.
 Report any rashes, depressions, or bumps around the insulin
injection sites immediately.

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Diabetic Blisters and
Eruptive Xanthomatosis
 Diabetic Blisters
 Occurs rarely in individuals with diabetes
 They can occur on the backs of fingers, hands, toes, feet, and on legs or
forearms.
 They are sometimes large and resemble burn blisters.
 Painless and with no redness around them, they often heal themselves within
3 weeks.
 The only treatment is to bring blood sugar levels under control.
 Eruptive Xanthomatosis
 This is a condition caused by diabetes that is out of control.
 Consists of firm, yellow, pea-like enlargements in the skin.
 The disorder usually occurs in young men with type 1 diabetes.
 Like diabetic blisters, these bumps disappear when diabetes control
is restored.

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Digital Sclerosis and
Disseminated Granuloma Annulare
 Digital Sclerosis
 Consists of tight, thick, waxy skin on the back of the hands.
 The finger joints become stiff and can no longer move the way they should.
 Rarely, knees, ankles, or elbows also get stiff.
 Happens to about 1/3 of people with type 1 diabetes
 The only treatment is to bring blood sugar levels under control.
 Disseminated Granuloma Annulare
 Consists of sharply defined ring-shaped or arc-shaped raised areas on the
skin.
 Rashes most often occur on parts of the body far from the trunk
(i.e., ears or fingers), but sometimes the raised areas occur on the trunk.
 Contact your doctor when rash appears.
 Certain drugs can help clear up the condition.

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Acanthosis Nigricans
 Acanthosis Nigricans
 This is a condition in which tan or brown raised
areas appear on the sides of the neck, armpits, and groin.
 Usually strikes people who are overweight.
 The best treatment is to lose weight.
 Some creams can help the spots look better.

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Gastroparesis and Diabetes
 Due to nerve damage that control the stomach.
 Leads to poor muscle control of the stomach and intestines. Movement of
food is slowed or stopped.
 Signs and symptoms:
 Heartburn
 Nausea
 Vomiting of undigested food
 An early feeling of fullness when eating
 Weight loss
 Abdominal bloating
 Erratic blood glucose (sugar) levels
 Lack of appetite
 Gastroesophageal reflux
 Spasms of the stomach wall
*These symptoms may be mild
or severe, depending on the
person.*

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Complications of Gastroparesis
 Gastroparesis makes it harder to manage
blood glucose.
 Slower digestion can result in:
 Bacterial overgrowth due to fermentation
 Food can harden into solid masses called
bezoars that may cause nausea, vomiting, and
obstruction of the stomach
 Bezoars can be dangerous if they block the
passage of food into the small intestine.

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Treatment of Gastroparesis
 The most important
treatment goal for
diabetes-related
gastroparesis is to
manage your blood
glucose levels as well
through the usage of:
Insulin May need to adjust schedule.
Medication May need drugs to treat
gastroparesis.
Meal and
food
changes
Refer to your physician or a
dietitian for more information.
Feeding
tube
May be used in severe cases.

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Depression
 Consult your doctor to eliminate any physical cause for your
depression.
 Poorly controlled diabetes can cause depression like symptoms:
 High or low blood sugar during the day can make you feel tired or anxious
 Low blood sugar levels can also lead to hunger and eating too much
 Low blood sugar n the night could disturb sleep
 High blood sugar in the night can lead to frequent urinating and then feeling
tired throughout the next day

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Conclusions
 There are many potential complications of diabetes.
 Complications can be minimized with good blood glucose control.
 Discuss any developments with the physician immediately.

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Division of Education
Reviewed by:
Beth Kalicki
Edited : 10/ 2009
Division of Education
Phillip Brantley, PhD, Director
Pennington Biomedical Research Center
Claude Bouchard, PhD, Executive Director
Heli J. Roy, PhD, RD

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 The Pennington Biomedical Research Center is a world-renowned nutrition research center.
 Mission:
 To promote healthier lives through research and education in nutrition and preventive medicine.
 The Pennington Center has several research areas, including:
 Clinical Obesity Research
 Experimental Obesity
 Functional Foods
 Health and Performance Enhancement
 Nutrition and Chronic Diseases
 Nutrition and the Brain
 Dementia, Alzheimer’s and healthy aging
 Diet, exercise, weight loss and weight loss maintenance

 The research fostered in these areas can have a profound impact on healthy living and on the prevention
of common chronic diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, hypertension and osteoporosis.
 The Division of Education provides education and information to the scientific community and the public
about research findings, training programs and research areas, and coordinates educational events for the
public on various health issues.
 We invite people of all ages and backgrounds to participate in the exciting research studies being
conducted at the Pennington Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. If you would like to take part, visit the
clinical trials web page at www.pbrc.edu or call (225) 763-3000.

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References
 All information used was obtained from:
 American Diabetes Association
 http://www.diabetes.org
Copyright, 2009
PBRC # PPT29