Diseases Linked to Diabetes

Proper management of diabetes is critical. Over 80% of type II diabetics are obese. While diabetes does facilitate the need for increased insulin control, it also means that these diabetics are more susceptible to the following diseases linked to diabetes and obesity.

Diabetics are two times more likely to contract heart disease, or have heart attacks or strokes than people without diabetes. Type II diabetes is caused by an increase of insulin in the blood. This extra insulin, over time, leaves fatty deposits on blood vessel walls that build up and can create blockages.

What complications could unmonitored diabetes lead to?

Heart Disease

Blood vessels shrink and become too narrow for blood to easily pass through. Because it cannot receive enough blood, heart attacks occur.

Heart Attack

If the heart does not receive enough oxygen from blood, it will cease to work. Without continued oxygen flow, parts of or all of the muscle will die.

Blood Clots

When fatty deposits build up in the arteries, eventually the artery will rupture from the pressure. Blood rushes to the site to plug the rupture, and platelets plug the rupture. The body usually breaks down these clots after it has healed, but the clots at time can travel through the arteries and damage other areas of the body.

Stroke

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is cut off. The brain cannot function without oxygen; strokes will cause parts of the brain to incur long-term damage.
Prevention is key. Maintaining a healthy diet, active lifestyle, and making continued good decisions can help prevent these diseases.

http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/stroke/#connection
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0004449/
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/heartattack/