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Complications (Contd)

2. Blood vessels supplying the kidneys can be involved, leading to increased filtration, which in turn leads to leakage of protein, which then leads to damage to the kidney tissue and eventual renal failure.

3. Blood vessels in general throughout the body can be involved in the hardening process, (atherosclerosis), which leads to narrowing of the coronary arteries**, hence angina; the blood vessels supplying the legs***, leading to claudications or blood vessels that supply the brain leading to a stroke****.

4. The nervous tissue can also be involved in this process, and again it is the blood vessels that supply the nerves which suffer most leading to a reduction in sensation in the feet, which in turn, together with a reduction in blood supply, leads to chronic ulcers.

5. The involuntary nerves, (autonomic) can be involved leading to diarrhoea, postural hypotension and erectile dysfunction.  It is important that these are prevented, although there are treatments available.

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