How Type 2 Diabetes Affects Your Body

Type 2 diabetes affects your body in more ways than you might imagine. This is why it is so important that you know when you have it, and know how to manage it. Take a look at the risks of this chronic condition.

Cardiovascular Health

One dangerous area of your body affected by type 2 diabetes is your cardiovascular system, including your heart and blood vessels. This affects more than just your heart, since your blood is pumping blood throughout your entire body. With type 2 diabetes, you are a higher risk for developing a stroke or heart disease that can lead to having a heart attack. You could get nerve damage or blood vessel damage that causes foot issues and even amputations.

Eye Health

Diabetes is often linked to poor eye health, including conditions like diabetic retinopathy. This is a disease of the eyes where the blood vessels behind the eyes cause the retina to swell and even leak. This can affect your vision and is often not reversible. Not everyone with type 2 diabetes develops this condition, which is the good news. As long as you manage your diabetes properly, you can avoid getting it.

Kidney Health

Unfortunately, type 2 diabetes can also affect your kidneys. With your kidneys, a condition called diabetic nephropathy can occur. This is the condition associated with damage to the kidneys as a direct result of diabetes. It is not something everyone will experience, similar to eye conditions. You are at a higher risk of getting it if you don’t control your diabetes properly by checking your blood pressure and cholesterol, eating a healthy diet, and getting your blood checked to see what your blood sugar levels are.

Nerve Health

Your nerves can also be affected by diabetes, in more ways than you might already know. Nerve damage, also called neuropathy, can affect different parts of your body. For example, it can affect your arousal and reproduction abilities, leading to infertility if you are not able to get an erection. It also affects a female’s ability to be aroused. Nerve damage can also cause numbness or tingling in your hands or feet, excessive sweating, or conditions like restless leg syndrome. This makes it difficult to sleep and can be extremely frustrating to deal with.

To avoid these and other complications as a result of type 2 diabetes, see your doctor, take medications, and live a healthier lifestyle to manage your diabetes.
