| Anemia is one complication of uncontrolled Type 2 | | | | In February of this year the Journal of the |
| diabetes, due to a condition called diabetic | | | | Association of Physicians of India published an |
| nephropathy. Nephropathy is a disease of the | | | | article reporting on the results of a study that |
| kidneys, common in diabetics. When the kidneys | | | | looked at anemia and diabetic retinopathy in |
| are healthy they produce a hormone called | | | | patients with Type 2 diabetes. |
| erythropoietin. Erythropoietin acts on the bone | | | | Researchers in Tamil Nadu, India, looked at 5999 |
| marrow to stimulate it to make new red blood | | | | study participants aged 40 or over. Diabetes was |
| cells and helps to stabilize red blood cells. In | | | | diagnosed in 1414 patients. More than 12 per cent |
| nephropathy, erythropoietin levels are low and the | | | | were anemic. Patients with anemia were more |
| bone marrow does not make enough red blood | | | | likely to develop diabetic retinopathy than those |
| cells to carry the needed amount of oxygen | | | | with normal blood levels. |
| throughout the body. When the number of red | | | | For diabetics, an eye examination is |
| blood cells is low or when the amount of | | | | recommended once per year with a view of the |
| hemoglobin, the substance in red blood cells that | | | | retina. Visual difficulties should be checked when |
| enables them to carry oxygen, is abnormally low, | | | | necessary. |
| a state of anemia exists. | | | | Diabetics should also be aware of the possibility of |
| Anemia is known to be common in uncontrolled | | | | anemia if the diabetes is uncontrolled. Signs and |
| diabetes due to diabetic nephropathy. In 2003 the | | | | symptoms of anemia include: |
| American Diabetes' Association's journal Diabetes | | | | - paleness |
| Care published an article on anemia in diabetics. | | | | - fatigue |
| Eight hundred twenty patients with diabetes were | | | | - headache |
| included in the study. Anemia was found in 190 | | | | - chest pain |
| participants. | | | | - dizziness |
| Anemia makes it difficult for all the cells of the | | | | - cold hands and feet and |
| body to obtain the oxygen they need to utilize | | | | - difficulty in concentrating or memory |
| for energy. In diabetes, the blood vessels are | | | | A complete blood count can reveal whether |
| typically damaged from the high blood sugar levels | | | | anemia is present. Your doctor will likely want to |
| and high amounts of cholesterol and fats in the | | | | check your blood regularly to diagnose anemia if it |
| blood. The retinas of diabetics can be damaged by | | | | should arise. |
| a lack of oxygen, and this oxygen starvation can | | | | Controlling blood sugar levels with diet, exercise, |
| result in diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause of | | | | and careful adherence to a medical regimen is a |
| blindness. The retinas are the rear parts of the | | | | good way to ward off both anemia and blindness. |
| eyes, where light is focused to create pictures. | | | | |