Diabetic angiopathy

Diabetic Angiopathy

Diabetic angiopathy (pronunciation: /ˌæn.dʒiˈɒp.ə.θi/; etymology: from Greek angio- meaning "vessel" and -pathy meaning "disease") is a disease of the blood vessels which arises as a complication of diabetes mellitus.

Overview

Diabetic angiopathy is a broad term that encompasses a range of conditions that occur due to damage to the blood vessels caused by high blood sugar levels in individuals with diabetes. This condition can affect any blood vessel in the body, leading to a variety of complications such as diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy, and diabetic neuropathy.

Types

There are two main types of diabetic angiopathy:

Microangiopathy: This type affects the small blood vessels. The most common conditions associated with microangiopathy are diabetic retinopathy and diabetic nephropathy.
Macroangiopathy: This type affects the large blood vessels and can lead to conditions such as coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, and stroke.

Symptoms

The symptoms of diabetic angiopathy depend on the blood vessels that are affected. For instance, if the eyes are affected, it may lead to blurred vision or blindness (diabetic retinopathy). If the kidneys are affected, it may lead to kidney failure (diabetic nephropathy).

Causes

The primary cause of diabetic angiopathy is prolonged exposure to high blood sugar levels, which can damage the blood vessels. Other factors that can contribute to the development of this condition include hypertension, high cholesterol levels, and smoking.

Treatment

Treatment for diabetic angiopathy primarily involves managing the underlying diabetes to prevent further blood vessel damage. This can include lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, and medication to control blood sugar levels. In some cases, additional treatments may be necessary to manage the complications of diabetic angiopathy.

Languages: - East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski

Diabetic angiopathy