Why complications from diabetes

Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Diabetes mellitus refers to a group of diseases that affect how your body uses blood sugar glucose.

Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. More Information Diabetes care at Mayo Clinic Diabetes and depression: Coping with the two conditions How diabetes affects your blood sugar. More Information Diabetes care at Mayo Clinic Amputation and diabetes Bone and joint problems associated with diabetes Diabetes and foot care Diabetes and liver Show more related information. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Ferri FF. Diabetes mellitus. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor Philadelphia, Pa.

Accessed March 6, Standards of medical care in diabetes — Diabetes Care. Papadakis MA, et al. Diabetes mellitus and hypoglycemia. New York, N. Gabbe SG, et al. Diabetes mellitus complicating normal pregnancy. In: Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies. Accessed Jan. Cunningham FG, et al. In: Williams Obstetrics. Artificial pancreas. Accessed March 11, Natural medicines in the clinical management of diabetes.

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Breadcrumb Diabetes Overview Diabetes Complications. Diabetes Complications. Diabetes Overview. Read more Skin complications Stay alert for symptoms of skin infections and other skin disorders common in people with diabetes. Read more Eye complications Keep your risk of glaucoma, cataracts and other eye problems low with regular checkups. Read more Foot complications Learn about neuropathy which can cause numbness in the feet as well as other complications.

Read more Kidney disease nephropathy Keep your diabetes and blood pressure under control to lower the chance of getting kidney disease. Read more Cardiovascular disease CVD People with diabetes are twice as likely to have heart disease or a stroke than people without diabetes.

Read more High blood pressure High blood pressure—also called hypertension—raises your risk for heart attack, stroke, eye problems and kidney disease. Read more Stroke Maintain target levels for blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol to reduce your risk of stroke. High blood pressure, smoking and a lot of fat in your blood cholesterol can all damage your blood vessels and put you even more at risk.

Keeping blood sugar , blood pressure and blood fats under control will hugely help to reduce your risk of developing complications. This means going to your diabetes health checks and finding out from your diabetes healthcare team how to look after yourself between appointments.

You can prevent or delay the complications of diabetes. Stopping smoking and lowering your HbA1c levels, blood fats and blood pressure will prevent or slow down these complications. Giving up smoking is the best thing you can do if you have diabetes because smoking makes it even harder for blood to flow around your body.

Keeping a close eye on these levels and understanding your numbers will help you take control of your health. So if your blood vessels are damaged in your feet for example, the damage can happen to other parts of your body like your kidneys and heart too. If you would like to talk through your worries and concerns, please do call our helpline for specialist information and advice. You will be given as much time as you need and although the service is confidential, you can choose to remain anonymous if you prefer.

Our online forum is also a place you can talk about and share your concerns with others who have had similar experiences. We're also investing in research to help us identify and protect against complications. We're determined to bring about improvements to treatments and care in people with diabetes, having already set up the first diabetes foot clinic in the UK, helping to reduce amputations.

Find out more about our life-changing research. A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales with no. Skip to main navigation Skip to content. Breadcrumb Home guide to diabetes complications.