Q: My 65 years old mother is suffering from diabetes for the last 20 years. Around three years back, the thumb of her left leg was operated as she had gangrene but it was not actually gangrene. After that she got a mild heart attack and many other problems due to which she was hospitalised. Last week, she experienced swelling on her feet and face. What causes swelling of face and feet? She takes insulin of 30 mg twice a day and around 9 tablets in morning and evening. The doctor told us that her kidneys are on borderline to get damaged. She also gets problem due to rise in blood pressure, creatinine, potassium and many other parameters.

A:Diabetes is a progressive disease. It can affect any part of body; in fact, in diabetes blood vessels both small (eyes, kidneys, nerves etc.) and large (heart, legs, brain etc.) get spoiled thus leading to various complications. Best drugs can only slow down / delays the complications. Thus, diabetes is best prevented. What your mother is having now is multiple complications. The treatment is now supportive only, to make her comfortable.