Long-term complications of diabetes
Diabetic complications - long termDiabetes makes your blood sugar higher than normal. After many years, too much sugar in the blood can cause problems in your body. It can harm your eyes, kidneys, nerves, skin, heart, and blood vessels.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a long-term (chronic) disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar in the blood.
- You could have eye problems. You could have trouble seeing, particularly at night. Light could bother your eyes. You could become blind.
Eye problems
Diabetes can harm the eyes. It can damage the small blood vessels in the retina, the back part of your eye. This condition is called diabetic retin...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Your feet and skin can develop sores and infections. If it goes on too long, your toes, foot, or leg may need to be amputated. Infection can also cause pain, itching, or oozing in your feet, legs, and other areas.
Sores
If you have diabetes, you have an increased chance of developing foot sores, or ulcers, also called diabetic ulcers. Foot ulcers are a common reason ...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Diabetes may make it harder to control your blood pressure and cholesterol. This can lead to heart attack, stroke, and other blood vessel problems. It can become harder for blood to flow to the legs and feet.
Heart attack
Most heart attacks are caused by a blood clot that blocks one of the coronary arteries. The coronary arteries bring blood and oxygen to the heart. ...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleStroke
A stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain stops. A stroke is sometimes called a "brain attack. " If blood flow is cut off for longer th...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Nerves in the body can become damaged, causing pain, burning, tingling, and loss of feeling. Nerve damage can also make it harder for men to have an erection.
Damaged
People with diabetes can have nerve problems. This condition is called diabetic neuropathy. Diabetic neuropathy can happen when you have even mildly...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - You could have problems digesting the food you eat. You could have trouble having a bowel movement (constipation) or have looser or watery bowel movements.
- High blood sugar and other problems can lead to kidney damage. Your kidneys might not work as well and may even stop working. As a result, you might need dialysis or a kidney transplant.
Kidney damage
Kidney disease or kidney damage often occurs over time in people with diabetes. This type of kidney disease is called diabetic nephropathy.
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleDialysis
Dialysis treats end-stage kidney failure. It removes harmful substances from the blood when the kidneys cannot. This article focuses on peritoneal d...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleKidney transplant
A kidney transplant is surgery to place a healthy kidney into a person with kidney failure.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Diabetes can weaken your immune system. This can make you more likely to have serious complications from common infections.
- People with diabetes often have depression and the two diseases may be linked.
- Some women with diabetes may have irregular menstrual periods and may have problems getting pregnant.
- Diabetes increases the risk for dementia.
Dementia
Dementia is a loss of brain function that occurs with certain diseases. It affects one or more brain functions such as memory, thinking, language, j...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Diabetes increases the risk for bone diseases, including osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become fragile and more likely to break (fracture).
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) from treatment of diabetes can also increase the risk for heart disease.
Hypoglycemia
Drug-induced low blood sugar is low blood glucose that results from taking medicine.
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Take Control of Your Diabetes
Keeping your blood sugar in a healthy range reduces the chance of all of the complications from diabetes.
It is important to keep your blood pressure and cholesterol in a healthy range as well.
You should learn these basic steps for managing diabetes and staying as healthy as possible. Steps may include:
- A healthy diet
- Physical activity
- Medicines
You may need to check your blood sugar daily or more often. Your health care provider will also help you by ordering blood tests and other tests. All these may help you keep complications of diabetes away.
If you need to check your blood sugar level at home.
- You may use a device called a glucose meter to test your blood sugar. Your provider will let you know if you need to check it every day and how many times each day.
Test your blood sugar
If you have diabetes, check your blood sugar level as often as instructed by your health care provider. Record the results. This will tell you how ...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - You may use a device called a glucose sensor (also called a continuous glucose monitor) that attaches to your body. Your provider will tell you if this is a better choice for you.
- Your provider will also tell you what blood sugar numbers you are trying to achieve. This is called managing your blood sugar. These goals will be set for different times during the day.
Managing your blood sugar
When you have diabetes, you should have good control of your blood sugar (glucose). If your blood sugar is not controlled, serious health problems c...
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To prevent heart disease and stroke, you may be asked to take medicine and change your diet and activity:
- Your provider may ask you to take a medicine called an ACE inhibitor or a different medicine called an ARB, for high blood pressure or kidney problems.
- Your provider may ask you to take a medicine called a statin or other medicines to keep your cholesterol down.
- Your provider may ask you to take aspirin to prevent heart attacks. Ask your provider if aspirin is right for you.
- Regular exercise is good for people with diabetes. Talk to your provider first about what exercises are best for you and how much exercise you should do every day.
- Do not smoke. Smoking makes diabetes complications worse. If you do smoke, work with your provider to find a way to quit.
To keep your feet healthy, you should:
- Check and care for your feet every day. Keep your skin well moisturized.
Care for your feet
Diabetes can damage the nerves and blood vessels in your feet. This damage can cause numbness and reduce feeling in your feet. As a result, your fe...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Get a foot exam by your provider at least every 6 to 12 months and learn whether you have nerve damage.
Nerve damage
People with diabetes can have nerve problems. This condition is called diabetic neuropathy. Diabetic neuropathy can happen when you have even mildly...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Make sure you are wearing the right kinds of socks and shoes.
A nurse or dietitian will teach you about good food choices to lower your blood sugar and stay healthy. Make sure you know how to put together a balanced meal with protein and fiber.
See Your Doctor Often
If you have diabetes, you should see your provider every 3 months. At these visits your provider may:
- Ask about your blood sugar level (always bring your blood glucose meter to every visit if you are checking your blood sugar at home)
- Check your blood pressure
- Check the feeling in your feet
- Check the skin and bones of your feet and legs
-
Examine the back part of your eyes
Examine the back part of your eyes
Diabetes can harm your eyes. It can damage the small blood vessels in your retina, the back wall of your eyeball. This condition is called diabetic...
The provider may also send you to the lab for blood and urine tests to:
- Make sure your kidneys are working well (every year)
- Make sure your cholesterol and triglyceride levels are healthy (every year)
- Check your HbA1C level to see how well your blood sugar is controlled (every 3 to 6 months)
HbA1C level
A1C is a lab test that shows the average level of blood sugar (glucose) over the previous 3 months. It shows how well you are controlling your blood...
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Visit your dentist every 6 months. You should see your eye doctor once a year. Your provider may ask you to see your eye doctor more often.
References
American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee website. 5. Facilitating positive health behaviors and well-being to improve health outcomes: standards of medical care in diabetes-2024. Diabetes Care. 2024;47(Suppl 1):S77-S110. PMID: 38078584 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38078584/.
Brownlee M, Aiello LP, Sun JK, et al. Complications of diabetes mellitus. In: Melmed S, Auchus, RJ, Goldfine AB, Koenig RJ, Kopp PA, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 15th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 38.
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Eye - illustration
The eye is the organ of sight, a nearly spherical hollow globe filled with fluids (humors). The outer layer (sclera, or white of the eye, and cornea) is fibrous and protective. The middle layer (choroid, ciliary body and the iris) is vascular. The innermost layer (retina) is sensory nerve tissue that is light sensitive. The fluids in the eye are divided by the lens into the vitreous humor (behind the lens) and the aqueous humor (in front of the lens). The lens itself is flexible and suspended by ligaments which allow it to change shape to focus light on the retina, which is composed of sensory neurons.
Eye
illustration
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Diabetic foot care - illustration
People with diabetes are prone to foot problems because the disease can cause damage to the blood vessels and nerves, which may result in decreased ability to sense a trauma to the foot. The immune system is also altered, so that the person with diabetes cannot efficiently fight infection.
Diabetic foot care
illustration
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Diabetic retinopathy - illustration
Diabetes causes an excessive amount of glucose to remain in the blood stream which may cause damage to the blood vessels. Within the eye the damaged vessels may leak blood and fluid into the surrounding tissues and cause vision problems.
Diabetic retinopathy
illustration
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Diabetic nephropathy - illustration
During diabetic nephropathy the kidney becomes damaged and more protein than normal collects in the urine. As the disease progresses, more of the kidney is destroyed. Over time, the kidneys ability to function starts to decline, which may eventually lead to chronic kidney failure.
Diabetic nephropathy
illustration
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Eye - illustration
The eye is the organ of sight, a nearly spherical hollow globe filled with fluids (humors). The outer layer (sclera, or white of the eye, and cornea) is fibrous and protective. The middle layer (choroid, ciliary body and the iris) is vascular. The innermost layer (retina) is sensory nerve tissue that is light sensitive. The fluids in the eye are divided by the lens into the vitreous humor (behind the lens) and the aqueous humor (in front of the lens). The lens itself is flexible and suspended by ligaments which allow it to change shape to focus light on the retina, which is composed of sensory neurons.
Eye
illustration
-
Diabetic foot care - illustration
People with diabetes are prone to foot problems because the disease can cause damage to the blood vessels and nerves, which may result in decreased ability to sense a trauma to the foot. The immune system is also altered, so that the person with diabetes cannot efficiently fight infection.
Diabetic foot care
illustration
-
Diabetic retinopathy - illustration
Diabetes causes an excessive amount of glucose to remain in the blood stream which may cause damage to the blood vessels. Within the eye the damaged vessels may leak blood and fluid into the surrounding tissues and cause vision problems.
Diabetic retinopathy
illustration
-
Diabetic nephropathy - illustration
During diabetic nephropathy the kidney becomes damaged and more protein than normal collects in the urine. As the disease progresses, more of the kidney is destroyed. Over time, the kidneys ability to function starts to decline, which may eventually lead to chronic kidney failure.
Diabetic nephropathy
illustration
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Review Date: 7/21/2024
Reviewed By: Sandeep K. Dhaliwal, MD, board-certified in Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Springfield, VA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.