Diabetes & Diabetes Complications

Diabetes, a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by elevated blood sugar levels, affects millions of people worldwide. While diligent management of diabetes can lead to a full and active life, uncontrolled diabetes can lead to a range of complications. These complications can affect various organ systems, leading to serious health issues.

Common Conditions Treated By The Department

• Cardiovascular Complications: Diabetes increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. It can lead to atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries), hypertension, and other cardiac issues.
• Neuropathy: High blood sugar levels can damage nerves, causing neuropathy. This may lead to symptoms like tingling, numbness, and pain, typically in the extremities.
• Retinopathy: Diabetes can cause damage to the blood vessels in the retina, potentially leading to vision problems, including diabetic retinopathy, which can result in blindness if left untreated.
• Nephropathy: Elevated blood sugar levels can damage the kidneys over time, potentially leading to chronic kidney disease and, in severe cases, kidney failure.
• Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD): Diabetes can lead to poor blood circulation in the extremities, increasing the risk of ulcers, infections, and, in severe cases, amputation.
• Foot Complications: Nerve damage (neuropathy) and poor blood flow to the feet can lead to foot ulcers, infections, and other serious issues.
• Gastroparesis: This condition affects the stomach's ability to empty properly, leading to symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and difficulty digesting food.
• Skin Complications: Diabetes can lead to various skin problems, including fungal and bacterial infections, slow wound healing, and conditions like acanthosis nigricans.

Key Procedures

Managing diabetes effectively is crucial to prevent or minimize complications. In medical settings, several key procedures are specifically targeted at identifying, monitoring, and treating complications associated with diabetes. These include:

• Haemoglobin A1c Testing: This blood test provides an average blood sugar level over the past two to three months, helping in the management and adjustment of treatment plans.
• Regular Blood Glucose Monitoring: Essential for daily diabetes management, this helps in adjusting diet, medications, or insulin therapy.
• Diabetic Retinopathy Screening: Regular eye exams, including dilated eye exams and retinal imaging, to detect early signs of retinopathy, a common complication affecting vision.
• Foot Exams: Regular examinations for diabetic foot ulcers, infections, and neuropathies. This may involve checking for foot pulses, sensation, and skin integrity.
• Kidney Function Tests: Monitoring kidney function through urine tests for albumin (microalbuminuria) and blood tests for creatinine, to detect early signs of diabetic nephropathy.
• Cardiovascular Disease Screening: Regular checks for heart disease risks, including blood pressure monitoring, cholesterol profile testing, and ECGs, as diabetes significantly increases the risk of heart disease.
• Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) Screening: Checking for signs of poor circulation in the legs and feet, which is more common in people with diabetes.
• Neuropathy Testing: Screening for signs of diabetic neuropathy, which can cause numbness, tingling, and pain in the extremities, and can lead to serious complications.
• Lipid Profile Testing: Monitoring cholesterol and triglyceride levels, as diabetes affects the risk of developing dyslipidemia.
• Gastroparesis Assessment: For symptoms of delayed gastric emptying, such as nausea and vomiting, which can affect some people with diabetes.
• Skin Care: Monitoring and treating skin conditions, including infections, as diabetes can affect skin health.
• Dental Exams: Regular dental check-ups to prevent gum disease, which is more common and can be more severe in people with diabetes.

Advantages Of The Department

The presence of a dedicated Diabetes Complications department in a healthcare setting offers significant advantages for the management and treatment of diabetes and its associated complications:

• Specialized Care for Complex Needs: This department focuses on the specific needs of diabetic patients, particularly those with complex or advanced complications, ensuring a tailored approach to care.
• Early Detection and Management of Complications: Routine screening and monitoring help in the early identification and treatment of complications such as neuropathy, retinopathy, nephropathy, and cardiovascular problems, potentially preventing their progression.
• Advanced Treatment Options: Access to the latest therapies and technologies for diabetes management, including new medications, insulin delivery systems, and continuous glucose monitoring devices.
• Lifestyle Modification and Prevention Strategies: Guidance on diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes to better manage diabetes and prevent complications.
• Reduction in Hospitalizations and Emergency Visits: Through effective management of diabetes and its complications, the department can help reduce the need for hospital admissions and emergency care.

Call 011-42888888 to book an appointment with a specialist at Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute.