Final answer:
Chronic complications of diabetes include macrovascular damage leading to heart disease and stroke, as well as microvascular damage resulting in diabetic retinopathy, chronic kidney disease, and diabetic neuropathy. Prevention and treatment involve a healthy lifestyle and may require insulin injections. Uncontrolled diabetes greatly increases the risk of mortality.
Step-by-step explanation:
When discussing the chronic complications of diabetes, particularly the macrovascular complications, it is crucial to understand that poorly managed blood glucose levels lead to significant and severe health issues. These complications arise primarily due to the damage to small blood vessels, which is exacerbated by persistently high blood sugar concentrations. Some of the most prominent consequences include heart disease, stroke, and diabetic nephropathy, which is a form of progressive kidney disease.
Diabetes can lead to macrovascular damage that significantly increases the risk of coronary artery disease and stroke. Additionally, it can cause microvascular damage, leading to diabetic retinopathy, which may result in a gradual loss of vision or blindness. The kidneys can also be harmed, triggering chronic kidney disease that might necessitate dialysis or a kidney transplant. Diabetic neuropathy is a nerve-damaging condition that can cause a loss of sensation, prominently in extremities, raising the risk of further injuries and infections.
Prevention of these long-term complications involves leading a healthy lifestyle, which comprises a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and maintaining a healthy body weight. Treatment might require lifestyle adjustments coupled with medical interventions like insulin injections. It's essential to know that uncontrolled diabetes significantly escalates the mortality rate due to such complications, making it a leading cause of death globally.