There are certain complications that occur more often in people with type 2 diabetes than in people without this condition. A major problem associated with type 2 diabetes occurs when excess sugar in the blood begins to clog small blood vessels and leads to circulation problems — blood cannot travel freely to where it needs to be.
Poor circulation can lead to tissue damage, eventually contributing to eye disease (diabetic retinopathy), kidney damage (nephropathy), and nerve cell damage (neuropathy). Too much blood glucose can also speed up the process of hardening of the arteries (arteriosclerosis), increasing your risk of developing a heart attack and stroke.
Although your risk of developing complications is affected by some factors that you can’t control — namely, your age, race, and genetic makeup — there are things you can do right now to manage your risk of developing complications from type 2 diabetes. The greatest risk factor, one that almost all type 2 diabetes complications are associated with, is excess sugar in the blood.
You can work to achieve healthy blood sugar levels and significantly decrease your likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes complications by sticking to a healthy diet and exercise regimen, and by properly following any prescribed treatment and medication plans.
If you need help keeping your blood sugar under control, ask your doctor if medication can help.