What are the possible complications of diabetes?

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Short term complication - a very high blood glucose level

This is not common with Type 2 diabetes. It is more common in untreated Type 1 diabetes when a very high level of glucose can develop quickly. However, a very high glucose level develops in some people with untreated Type 2 diabetes. A very high blood level of glucose can cause dehydration, drowsiness, and serious illness which can be life-threatening.

Long term complications

If your blood glucose level is higher than normal over a long period of time, it can gradually damage your blood vessels. This can occur even if the glucose level is not very high above the normal level. This may lead to some of the following complications (often years after you first develop diabetes).

Atheroma ('furring or hardening of the arteries'). This can cause problems such as angina, heart attacks, stroke, and poor circulation.
Kidney damage which sometimes develops into kidney failure.
Eye problems which can affect vision (due to damage to the small arteries of the retina at the back of the eye).
Nerve damage.
Foot problems (due to poor circulation and nerve damage).
Impotence.
Other rare problems.

The type and severity of long-term complications varies from case to case. You may not develop any at all. In general, the nearer your blood glucose level is to normal, the less your risk of developing complications. Your risk of developing complications is also reduced if you deal with any other 'risk factors' that you may have such as high blood pressure.