Let’s face it, you will not necessarily have complications with your diabetes. However, it should not be ruled out. It is therefore important that you follow your treatment plan closely, maintain good and regular contact with your healthcare professional(s), monitor your nutrition properly and get enough exercise.
However, even if you do all this faithfully, you may face complications. Complications mainly arise because your body is exposed to high blood glucose over a long period. Additional causes such as high blood pressure and too many unhealthy fats in the blood (cholesterol) are also not good for your health. Organs, body tissues, blood vessels and nerves are adversely affected.
Common complications
- Problems with the eyes
- Cardiovascular disease
- Decreased kidney function
- Problems with feet
- Brain
- Nerves
- Problems with sex
- Stomach and intestines
- Joints
- Skin problems
- Other issues, due to infections
Patient or ordinary person?
Many people with a chronic illness (including diabetes) sometimes wonder whether they are anything other than a patient. They deal with their illness day in, day out, and can sometimes become overwhelmed. At some point they may feel their quality of life has been adversely affected. It is important to talk about that with a family member, a good friend, a fellow diabetic or another confidant (e.g. your doctor). It’s really not unusual for you to feel bad every now and then but bottling up your emotions doesn’t do anyone any good. Recognize that these feelings are normal and that talking about them is normal too. After all, you are just an ordinary person!