08/12/2015
Long-term complications of diabetes develop gradually. The longer you have diabetes and the less controlled your blood sugar; the higher the risk of complications.
Possible complications include:
1. Kidney damage (nephropathy): Diabetes can damage kidneys. Severe damage can lead to kidney failure or irreversible end-stage kidney disease, which may require dialysis or a kidney transplant.
2. Cardiovascular disease: Diabetes dramatically increases the risk of various cardiovascular problems, including coronary artery disease with chest pain (angina), heart attack and narrowing of arteries (atherosclerosis).
3. Nerve damage (neuropathy): Damage to the nerves related to digestion can cause problems with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation.
4. Eye damage (retinopathy): Diabetes can damage the blood vessels of the retina (diabetic retinopathy), potentially leading to blindness.