Diabetes is a condition that can last for your entire lifetime [depending on which form of diabetes you have].
It causes a person’s blood sugar levels to skyrocket, which in turn, causes health problems.
There are two types of diabetes [although there is a proposed third, which is most often discounted from scientific and literary journals on the subject].
The first type, type one diabetes, is when a person’s immune system attacks and destroys your bodies insulin-producing cells;
The second, type two diabetes, is when the body does not [or cannot] produce enough insulin, or the body does not react to insulin.
Out of the two, the former is far more dangerous, and some people are able to self-treat type two diabetes, and in some cases, cure themselves completely of it.
Type two diabetes is also far more common, and in the United Kingdom alone, accounts for nearly ninety per cent of all cases.
With an introduction to diabetes out of the way, we will now move onto the main body of our article: conditions related to diabetes that you should be aware of.
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Conditions Related to Diabetes
There are a large number of conditions that are related to or a by-product of diabetes. Some of these are very well known, and others are not.
It is safe to say, however, that all conditions caused and related to diabetes can cause some measure of harm to your body.
This is why treatment for diabetes is very important, for the impact of diabetes can be huge, as you will find out.
Here are a few common and uncommon conditions related to [or caused by] diabetes.
Necrobiosis Lipoidica Diabeticorum
This condition, commonly abbreviated as NLD, is associated with diabetes but can occur on its own or for other reasons.
NLD is extremely uncommon and virtually unknown, with it said to affect less than one per cent of all people with diabetes the world over.
When it does occur, however, it is most common between twenty to fifty and is theorized to be three times more common in women than it is in men.
It can happen even if your diabetes is managed and treated well.
NLD materializes as small, dark red or yellow sores and patches with thick shiny surfaces that can be raised above the surface of your skin.
Unfortunately for those who suffer from it, it cannot be cured, and while treatment is occasionally possible, it rarely works.
Most who experience this end up camouflaging it with make-up.
Mastopathy
Mastopathy is another condition associated with diabetes that you may or may not have previously heard of.
Mastopathy is the name given to tough breast tissue, which occurs and develops in diabetic patients.
Diabetic mastopathy is generally uncommon but can occur, mostly in type one diabetic women who are pre-menopause and have suffered for many years.
Diabetic mastopathy often comes with other diabetic complications. Some theorize that consistently high blood glucose levels may be responsible.
Thankfully, mastopathy does not mean you are at high risk or any higher than you would usually be, of developing breast cancer.
Limited Joint Mobility
Limited joint mobility, more commonly known as diabetic cheiroarthropathy, is when joints lose their ordinary flexibility.
It most commonly occurs in the hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders, ankles, neck, lower back, and knees, and is a by-product of [or associated with] microvascular diabetic complications [nephropathy and retinopathy [kidney and eye disease respectively].
By keeping blood glucose levels at your target level, as well as having steroid injections, the condition can be treated.
Dupuytren’s Contracture
Dupuytren’s contracture causes your fingers to contract toward the palm of your hand so that they cannot be straightened and are perpetually bent.
It is common in long-standing diabetes patients who are of older age and have other microvascular complications associated with their diabetes.
It can thankfully be treated surgically, and often is very successful.
Frozen Shoulder and Trigger Finger
These two conditions are commonly associated with diabetes. The first, frozen shoulder, causes pain, stiffness, and limited movement in your shoulder.
It is common among longstanding diabetics, and extremely common among diabetics who have had a heart attack previously.
It can be treated with painkillers, steroids, therapy, and surgery. Additionally, another condition common among longstanding diabetics, trigger finger, occurs when the tendons of the hand become stuck and locked.
When the finger or thumb are bent back, they become locked. It is common in the ring finger and can be very painful.
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal tunnel syndrome is very painful and can affect people with or without diabetes.
It causes numbness, pins and needles, and pain in the hand and wrist [particularly the fore-finger and middle finger].
The pain can worsen at night or in periods of inactivity. It can be treated through wrist splinting, steroids, and surgery
Dental Problems
Dental problems are very common among diabetics.
Oral problems can occur for a variety of reasons, which is why if you are diabetic, it is important for you to visit your dentist regularly to ensure you may not be suffering from any oral problems that you are unaware of.
Dental problems can occur suddenly, and you may not be aware you even have any.
Glaucoma
Diabetes can cause glaucoma, one of the leading causes of blindness throughout the world.
Glaucoma can go symptomless for a while. It is important to have yearly eye check-ups to ensure you are not suffering from glaucoma.
If you are diabetic, you should go twice yearly to an optician to have your eyes checked and will often be able to have them checked for free.
Blindness is common among diabetics, albeit older diabetics. Your eyes must be preserved, so check them regularly.
With the help of this page, we hope that you now know of a few conditions related to [or caused by] diabetes. Diabetes can be very debilitating, so avoid it if you can.
You can avoid diabetes by living a healthy lifestyle, free from fats and processed sugars. Diabetes can be managed, providing you are determined to lead a healthy life.
We hope this page has reinforced the importance of treating diabetes properly. Good luck, folks, and stay healthy.