Diabetes mellitus is a disease caused by disruption of the function of the pancreas.
However, its effects are not confined to the endocrine system alone with resulting diabetes complications felt by other systems as well; thus, it is considered a systemic disease.
Generally, the various diabetes complications are caused by the presence of high amounts of blood sugar, the inability of the cells to use glucose, and the high filtration rate of glucose in the urine.
Among the associated complications resulting from the deficient insulin production and insulin resistance of cells are as follows: 1) Cerebrovascular disease.
This is also known as stroke with the fluctuating levels of blood sugar level predisposing its development.
Hyperglycemia causes increased solute concentration in the blood and makes it more sluggish with resulting platelet aggregation.
This then causes blood clot, leading to transient ischemic attack.
Hypoglycemia, on the other hand, raises the adrenaline levels, thereby, leading to cardiac arrhythmia.
2) Coronary artery disease.
Because of the high concentration of glucose levels in the blood, this leads to formation of fat plaques in blood vessels such as that of the heart.
This leads to insufficient blood supply to the heart and myocardial infarction.
In the long run, the heart increases in size to compensate for lack of blood, which leads to heart failure.
3) Peripheral vascular disease.
Similar with CAD, plaques form in other blood vessels of the body.
Because of this, blood supply is impeded especially in dependent area of the body such as the feet.
With lack of blood supply, pain is evident and leads to death of tissue called ischemic gangrene.
4) Microangiopathy.
This translates to disease of the small blood vessels.
Like the previous three diabetes complications, the blood supply to smaller vessels is affected.
This leads to blindness from retinopathy, kidney failure from nephropathy, and altered body functions from neuropathy.
However, its effects are not confined to the endocrine system alone with resulting diabetes complications felt by other systems as well; thus, it is considered a systemic disease.
Generally, the various diabetes complications are caused by the presence of high amounts of blood sugar, the inability of the cells to use glucose, and the high filtration rate of glucose in the urine.
Among the associated complications resulting from the deficient insulin production and insulin resistance of cells are as follows: 1) Cerebrovascular disease.
This is also known as stroke with the fluctuating levels of blood sugar level predisposing its development.
Hyperglycemia causes increased solute concentration in the blood and makes it more sluggish with resulting platelet aggregation.
This then causes blood clot, leading to transient ischemic attack.
Hypoglycemia, on the other hand, raises the adrenaline levels, thereby, leading to cardiac arrhythmia.
2) Coronary artery disease.
Because of the high concentration of glucose levels in the blood, this leads to formation of fat plaques in blood vessels such as that of the heart.
This leads to insufficient blood supply to the heart and myocardial infarction.
In the long run, the heart increases in size to compensate for lack of blood, which leads to heart failure.
3) Peripheral vascular disease.
Similar with CAD, plaques form in other blood vessels of the body.
Because of this, blood supply is impeded especially in dependent area of the body such as the feet.
With lack of blood supply, pain is evident and leads to death of tissue called ischemic gangrene.
4) Microangiopathy.
This translates to disease of the small blood vessels.
Like the previous three diabetes complications, the blood supply to smaller vessels is affected.
This leads to blindness from retinopathy, kidney failure from nephropathy, and altered body functions from neuropathy.