Microvascular diabetes complications
Microvascular diabetes complications refer to diseases of the eyes (diabetic retinopathy) and kidneys (diabetic nephropathy) that develop because of diabetes. These diseases result from abnormalities in tiny blood vessels (capillaries) that supply every organ in the body.
Small blood vessel complications, potential problems, and symptoms Small blood vessel complication
Potential problem
Symptoms of problem
Eyes (diabetic retinopathy)
- Damage to the retina
- Impaired vision
- Blindness, in severe cases
Kidneys (diabetic nephropathy)
- Impaired functioning of the kidneys
- Kidney failure, in severe cases
- Fatigue
- Muscle cramping
- Inability to think clearly
- Swelling from retention of body fluids
- Decreased amounts of urine (late in the disease)
Nerves (peripheral neuropathy)
- Decreased sensation, especially common in the feet and hands
- Weakness
- Numbness, tingling, burning, and weakness in the feet and hands
Autonomic nervous system (autonomic neuropathy)
- Abnormal blood pressure and heart rate
- Gastrointestinal tract disturbance
- Sexual problems
- Dizziness and drop in blood pressure when rising from a sitting to standing position
- Nausea and vomiting from failure of the stomach to contract and move food along the digestive tract
- Impotence and retrograde ejaculation (associated with painful urination after ejaculation)
- Vaginal dryness
| Author: | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS | Last Updated: August 9, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine Matthew I. Kim, MD - Endocrinology & Metabolism | |
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