You may be disheartened to see the long list of long-term complications that can develop with diabetes. However, there are two things to remember that should give you hope. Firstly, most long-term complications are avoidable. Secondly, it is easier to manage your diabetes before you run into complications than dealing with them after they develop. This is why it is important for you to learn how to prevent complications or if you already have some, how to reduce the impact.
Read on to learn about which complications may arise, how best to avoid them, how to recognize them and if they do develop, how to manage them.
There are two main types of complications – microvascular (affecting the small blood vessels) and macrovascular (affecting the large blood vessels).
Microvascular complications include:
Macrovascular complications include:
Circulatory disease (e.g. to the legs)
While early detection of these complications can delay progression, early detection of other risk factors such as smoking, high blood pressure, high serum cholesterol and obesity is even more important.
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