Untreated diabetes can lead to some serious health complications. Unfortunately, some people do not even realize they have diabetes until they have started to develop complications. If you have diabetes, the best way to avoid diabetes complications is to manage your blood sugar well.
Some short-term complications of diabetes include:
- Diabetic ketoacidosis: This occurs when lack of insulin causes cells to starve for want of sugars and can lead to unconsciousness and coma, even death.
- Hyperglycemia: High blood sugar or high blood sugar can occur when you eat too much sugar or do not take enough insulin. It can cause frequent urination, increased thirst, dry mouth, blurred vision, fatigue, and nausea; if left untreated, hyperglycemia can lead to heart problems or coma.
- Hypoglycemia: Your blood sugar can drop too low if you take too much insulin or do hot eat enough sugar. Symptoms of hypoglycemia include sweating, shakiness, weakness, hunger, dizziness, and nausea; if left untreated, it can lead to drowsiness, confusion, and eventually, unconsciousness.
Living with type 1 diabetes can also lead to serious chronic complications that can significantly shorten the lives of diabetics. These complications develop over long periods of time and are mostly due to chronically elevated levels of sugar in the blood. These include:
- heart disease and stroke
- kidney disease
- diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage)
- foot problems
- skin problems
- diabetic retinopathy (vision loss)
- gastroparesis (stomach problem)