Secondary Complications
Persistently elevated blood glucose levels over a long period of time can cause damage to blood vessels and nerves. These are referred to as secondary complications of diabetes. In people with type 2 diabetes, they are often already present before elevated blood glucose levels are diagnosed; people with type 1 diabetes may develop them over the course of the disease. The consequences can be dramatic:
However, numerous scientific studies have shown that the onset or progression of these complications can be prevented or at least delayed through good blood glucose control. In addition to blood glucose management, controlling blood pressure and blood lipids is also important. This type of treatment helps maintain a good quality of life.
Since 2009, very large, specialized studies on cardiovascular and vascular diseases in people with diabetes have been conducted. The results are extremely positive. They show that the selection of certain diabetes medications can significantly improve the prognosis of cardiovascular and vascular diseases. For this reason, we have devoted a separate chapter to this topic.
Study results: Choosing the right medication saves lives!
People are therefore not helplessly at the mercy of the disease. Preventing these complications—and treating them if they have already occurred—is an important therapeutic goal.
Secondary complications of diabetes can affect all areas of the body. They are explained in detail here: