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What are the possible complications of diabetes?

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Very high blood glucose level

If you do not have treatment, or use too little insulin, a very high level of glucose can develop quite quickly - over several days. If left untreated this causes dehydration, drowsiness, and serious illness which can be life-threatening. A very high blood glucose level sometimes develops if you have other illnesses such as flu. In these situations you may need to adjust the dose of insulin to keep your blood glucose level normal.

Long-term complications

If the blood glucose level is higher than normal, over a long period of time, it can have a damaging effect on the blood vessels. Even a mildly raised glucose level which does not cause any symptoms in the short-term can affect the blood vessels in the long-term. This may lead to some of the following complications (often years after diabetes is first diagnosed).

Atheroma ('furring or hardening of the arteries') which can cause problems such as angina, heart attacks, stroke, and poor circulation.
Eye problems which can affect vision (due to damage to the small arteries of the retina at the back of the eye).
Kidney damage which sometimes develops into kidney failure.
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 risk of developing complications is reduced if the blood glucose level is well controlled, and other risk factors such as high blood pressure are dealt with.

Treatment complications

Too much insulin can make the blood glucose level go too low (hypoglycaemia, sometimes called a 'hypo'). This can cause you to feel sweaty, confused, and unwell, and you may lapse into a coma. Emergency treatment of hypoglycaemia is with sugar, sweet drinks, or a glucagon injection (a hormone which has the opposite effect to insulin). Then eat a starchy snack such as a sandwich.