If diabetes isn’t managed properly, other diseases and illnesses can occur.

Loss of Vision – the American Diabetes Association states that in 2005-2008, 28.5% of diabetics over the age of 40 had Diabetic Retinopathy1, which causes damage to the blood vessels in the eye.

Kidney Disease – Diabetes contributed to 44% of kidney failure cases in 20111. If your kidneys aren’t able to filter your blood effectively, you may be required to undergo dialysis on a regular basis.

High Blood Pressure – Can lead to heart attack or stroke.

Amputations – When diabetes causes damage to blood vessels, ulcers or sores may form. Left untreated will eventually result in amputation. It is important to note that this can be prevented by seeing a Vascular Specialist and potentially undergoing an interventional procedure to increase circulation.

Photo above courtesy of National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health.

1 Data from the National Diabetes Statistics Report, 2014 (released June 10, 2014) – See more at: http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/statistics/