Diabetes

Treatment and Management:
Complications

Diabetes can cause both short- and long-term complications. Control of blood glucose can reduce the risk of getting these complications.

If you have diabetes, always wear a form of medical identification, such as an ID bracelet or necklace that specifies your medical problem.

Short-Term Complications

Low Blood Glucose
High Blood Glucose
High Blood Glucose With Ketones
High Blood Glucose Without Ketones

Long-Term Complications

Over a long period, a very high blood glucose level can lead to these long-term problems:

• Kidney damage, or nephropathy
  The kidneys stop filtering impurities from your blood.
  
  
• Damage to the blood vessels in the retina of the eye, or retinopathy
  This condition can lead to blindness.
  
  
• Nerve damage, or neuropathy
  Nerve damage leads to many symptoms, including pain or numbness in the hands and feet, stomach problems, and sexual problems.
  
  
• Hardening of the arteries, or atherosclerosis
  If you have diabetes, you have a higher than normal risk for heart attack, stroke, and poor circulation in the legs. Your doctor should check your blood cholesterol and fats (lipids and triglycerides) regularly, as well as your blood pressure. Healthy eating, physical activity, and medications can be used to keep your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood fats under control.

For more information about diabetes complications, see the Long-Term Complications (pdf) patient education sheet.

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