Due to calcification and thickening in the arteries causes loss of elasticity in the walls of arteries. It occurs equally among diabetics and non-diabetics rather no age, sex or group or community is immune from it may be a difference of degrees. This disorder is an underlying lesion of stroke and heart disease. But, to say that diabetes causes atherosclerosis is still a hypothetical cause which has ye to be substantiated. But it cannot be denied that diabetes and atherosclerosis are, at least, statistically associated. Diabetics account for double the number of deaths, caused by heart attack or other heart diseases. Diabetics are more prone to coronary heart disease and more so women.
Despite all the said revelations, it is yet to be established if there is any affinity between diabetes and heart disease, particularly atherosclerosis. But there is hardly any justification to burden the diabetic and his family member with association between the two diseases. But, since the ‘risk factor’ is involved, the diabetics are advised to adhere to strict or at least reasonable or desired, control over diet. Further, the diabetic must get himself periodically examined medically to rule out any possibility of such or any other complication. Taper to large extent, fat and carbohydrates intake. In any case, do not let cholesterol deposit in arteries, have resort to physical exercises. All necessary and possible precautions should always be taken, though bearing in mind that there is no evidence or proof to sustain the concept that heart disease is caused by diabetes.
Eye sight / Retinopathy: There is a general belief that diabetes affect eye-sight and damages retina (which is a photographic plate at the back of the eye). In a lately detected stage or in prolonged uncontrolled diabetes, retina of the eye may grey damaged. But it takes a fairly long time to develop, and still longer time to ascertain and pin-point the damaged caused to it. It is perchance that a patient visits an eye-specialist to redress of some other eye complication and his doctor points out to retinal damage or to the stage at which it has reached. To allay his doubts, the doctor aks for urine test and if the urine test shows positive presence of sugar in urine, the patient is tested for blood glucose test. If both the urine & blood tests are positive then the patient is a confirmed diabetic. Now, at this stage, the patient comes to know that he has bad diabetes. But, by the time it is detected, much damage had already occurred, not only to eyes but also to other vital organs. The only main point in diabetes is that its detection is quite often too late and the patient is generally unaware of the ravages already caused by it.
An organ in the eye, called retina, is responsible for focusing the image on the retina, can also be adversely affected, causing blurred or hazy vision. Such a change is a purely temporary phase and can be rectified by wearing glasses.
Rapid change in glass number is also quite frequently visible. In order not to allow such a situation occur, the diabetic patient should, as a matter of regular check-up, should have his eyes tested, when all the eye problems could be easily detected and corrective measures advised in good time. It is not proper and fair to inculcate a feeling of fear-psychosis in the patient’s mind but, at the same time, he must be cautioned and warned against present and future eye complications.
To put the matter straight, the capillaries in the retina can be damaged, causing to weaken and bleed, and this is not an uncommon predicament. In case, this situation continues and progresses, new blood vessels may from on retinal surface and also in the vitreous humor in the centre of eye, causing further bleeding and blurred vision. Sometimes the bleeding is again absorbed and the vision clears. But in other cases, the retina may get detached or torn, due to the bleeding which may cases, the retina may get detached or torn, due to the bleeding which may cause the scar tissue to contract. Even high blood pressure can cause damage to retina, or still worse total blindness may also follow as a consequence thereof. So, try to keep your blood pressure also under control.
The diabetics should not get scared by the above mentioned eye complications. But, there is no reason for complacency also, as proper timely and corrective measure can prevent or minimize further complications, if not totally cure them. But, patient’s knowledge and education are utmost importance. The attending doctors can play effective and useful role in educating their patients. All said and done a visit to the eye-specialist after every 3-4 months, or when some unusual symptoms surface, is advised.
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