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Without adequate treatment to control blood glucose levels, diabetes can lead to serious complications, including:

• Diabetic nephropathy - progressive loss of kidney function that can lead to end-stage renal failure.

• Diabetic retinopathy - damage to the blood vessels and structures of the eye that is a leading cause of blindness in people with diabetes under the age of 75.

• Diabetic neuropathy - damage to the peripheral nerves that can lead to pain, tingling, burning in the hands and feet with loss of sensation and motor impairment.

• Atherosclerosis - people with poorly controlled diabetes are at increased risk for developing atherosclerosis or "hardening of the arteries" that can lead to heart attack, stroke, damage to the eyes, and kidney failure.

• Peripheral vascular disease - diabetes can also cause narrowing of peripheral blood vessels that supply the arms and the legs which can cause pain when exercising or walking. Severe peripheral vascular disease causes ischemia (inadequate flow of blood to a region of the body such as the legs) which can lead to severe complications that may necessitate amputation of the limb.

• Diabetic ketoacidosis - an acute and potentially fatal condition caused by extreme insulin deficiency resulting in severe dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and the accumulation of called ketones in the blood and urine.

• Diabetic foot problems - People with diabetes are at risk for a variety of foot problems that include:

  • corns and calluses
  • hammertoes and bunyons
  • dry skin which "cracks" easily and is susceptible to infection
  • ingrown toenails
  • infections (soft-tissue; fungal toenail infections)
  • Charcot foot - destruction of the soft tissue and joints of the foot as a consequence of diabetic neuropathy
  • diabetic foot ulcers