Complications of Diabetes

Diabetes is a serious condition. Following your diabetes treatment plan takes round-the-clock commitment. But your efforts are worthwhile. Careful diabetes care can reduce your risk of serious — even life-threatening — complications.

What are those Complications?

The image below indicates the parts of the body that can be affected by complications of diabetes. These complications can impact your brain, eyesight, heart, kidneys, circulation and nerves. Additionally, something like peripheral neuropathy (e.g. loss of feeling in the feet) can mean that damage isn't identifies, infections may occur and lead to gangrene and, ultimately, amputation. The bottom line is that the complications of diabetes can be serious, which means it is crucial to manage your diabetic condition as best you can.

 

Many of the complications affect organs or other parts of the body, but some can have flow-on effects. Peripheral neuropathy refers to loss of feeling in, say, the feet. A person who has lost feeling in their feet may be more prone to physical damage in that area and, worse, may be unaware of a cut or infection. Untreated, that could become gangrenous and may lead to amputation of part of the foot.

That the complications can have serious and far-reaching effects makes it all the more important to look after yourself and minimise the likelihood of developing some or all of these complications.