Many of the complications of diabetes are strongly related to high blood sugar levels. It is believed that keeping your blood sugar levels in your target range is your best defense against the complications of diabetes.

Learning more about the dangers of diabetes can empower you to better manage your disease and hopefully avoid the complications associated with it.

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What Are the Complications of Diabetes?

With its complications, diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death (sixth-leading cause of death by disease) in the United States. Each year, at least 190,000 people die as a result of diabetes and its complications.

• Blindness due to diabetic retinopathy. Each year 12,000 to 24,000 people lose their sight because of diabetes. Diabetes is the leading cause of new blindness in people 20-74 years of age.
• Kidney Disease due to diabetic nephropathy. Ten to 21% of all people with diabetes develop kidney disease. Diabetic nephropathy is the most common cause of end-stage renal disease, a condition where the patient requires dialysis or a kidney transplant in order to live.
• Heart Disease and Stroke . People with diabetes are 2 to 4 times more likely to have heart disease (more than 77,000 deaths due to heart disease annually). Heart disease death rates are also 2 to 4 times as high as adults without diabetes. And, people with diabetes are 2 to 4 times more likely to suffer a stroke.
• Nerve Disease and Amputations . About 60-70% of people with diabetes have mild to severe forms of diabetic nerve damage, which, in severe forms, can lead to lower limb amputations. In fact, diabetes is the most frequent cause of non-traumatic lower limb amputations. The risk of a leg amputation is 15-40 times greater for a person with diabetes. Each year, 56,200 people lose their foot or leg to diabetes.
• Impotence due to diabetic neuropathy or blood vessel blockage. Impotence afflicts approximately 13% of men who have Type 1 diabetes and 8% of men who have Type 2 diabetes. It has been reported that men with diabetes, over the age of 50, have impotence rates as high as 50-60%.

Learn more about the different kinds of diabetes complications and how to recognize them in the main complication section.

What can you do now to avoid diabetes complications?

• First, get regular checkups. You may not know that you have a complication. But your health care practitioner can spot trouble long before symptoms appear. Finding problems early is the best way to keep complications from getting serious.
• Keep your appointments with your health care practitioner -- even if you are feeling fine. This includes your eye doctor and any other specialists you may need to see.
• Also be aware of the warning signs of trouble:
1. Vision problems (blurriness, spots).
2. Tiredness or pale skin color.
3. Obesity (more than 20 pounds overweight).
4. Numbness or tingling feelings in hands or feet.
5. Repeated infections or slow healing of wounds.
6. Chest pain.
7. Vaginal itching.
8. Constant headaches (This may be a symptom of high blood pressure.)

If you have one or more of these symptoms, tell your health care practitioner!

• And practice good diabetes control. Taking care of your health makes medical sense. So...
1. Keep blood-sugar levels close to normal (control diabetes).
2. Control your weight.
3. Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet.
4. Get regular exercise.
5. Have regular checkups.
6. Check your feet every day for minor cuts or blisters. Show them to your health care practitioner.
7. Do not smoke.
• If you have high blood pressure or high blood cholesterol, follow the medical advice you've been given.