Type 2 Diabetes and Complications-They Can Occur

It drives me crazy as a type 2 diabetic, when people have to say, "Oh, type 2, that's nothing!" or I hear, "Type 2 will go away if you just lose a few pounds!" This is anything but true, and I usually get into an argument with people over it to try and prove my point. I am a type 2 diabetic with problems that are related to the disease, especially related to skin infections and urinary tract infections. So type 2, yes, is just as serious as type 1!

If glucose levels remain high no matter whether you are type 1 or type 2, you will have complications of many kinds. The body will not tolerate high glucose levels for an extended period of time without consequences.

One of the common problems in both types of diabetes is kidney disease. I have heard about a number of people with type 2, that have had to go on kidney dialysis due to kidney failure. The kidneys over time, with high blood glucose that is, will destroy nephrons which are the filters you have in each kidney. As the ability of nephrons are reduced to perform due to high blood glucose, the filters die. When nephrons have all died to the degree of kidney failure, a person will become very ill at this point and need dialysis to live.

The skin is another area that can also be affected with type 2 diabetes. There are several skin disorders such as:

Acanthosis Nigricans- This skin disorder causes a black and blue appearance in the folds of the skin, usually related to insulin resistance.

Diabetic Dermopathy-These are skin lesions in brown spots that appear on the legs usually.

Necrobiosis Lipoidica-is a rash that appears on legs in the form of patches that are a reddish-brown in their coloring.

Vitiligo-skin pigment is slowly destroyed. This is due to high blood sugar destroying cells that make new skin.

Gangrene-can set in with any type of diabetic since high blood glucose over the longer term upsets circulation. This is when gangrene sets in.

Another complication of type 2 diabetes can be diabetic neuropathy. High blood glucose that goes on for long periods can and will most likely cause blood vessel destruction that gives you the circulation needed in your extremeties, and therefore, you lose sensations and sensory feelings.

Type 2 diabetes, just the same as type 1 can cause heart related problems and strokes. As blood sugar rises, it affects the coronary arteries too, which can lead to a major heart attack. Also, since people with type 2 tend to be obese and have high cholesterol, this can lead to heart disease alone.

Eyes are also liable with type 2 diabetes. High blood glucose over time will destroy nerves that are essential to vision, and cause diabetic retinopathy. This is why it is essential for anyone to have an eye exam once a year to keep tabs on eye health.

Control over your blood sugar with any type of diabetes then, is of the utmost importance. People need to realize this with their type 2 diabetes!

Source for content My own knowledge and experience and other knowledge from emedicine.com and dlife.com,