Understanding Type 2 Diabetes Complications: Risks & Management

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, affecting over 90 percent of the diagnosed population. Careful monitoring is necessary to keep your diabetes under control, otherwise long-term health complications may arise.

Significance

• Complications of your type 2 diabetes can develop gradually, with little or no symptoms. These complications can eventually turn life-threatening if not caught and treated in time.

Identification

• Uncontrolled diabetes can affect many different parts of your body, including your eyes, skin and nerves. Kidney and heart disease are also common complications.

Misconceptions

• Additional health complications are not inevitable when you discover you have diabetes. These complications develop over the course of many years.

Warning

• Call your doctor or 911 if you experience symptoms of abnormal blood sugar levels, such as having blurry vision or feeling weak and tired, or if you have a numbness or tingling in your feet or legs.

Prevention/Solution

• You can prevent these complications by simply keeping your blood sugar levels under control, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Stay active, eat healthy and see your health care provider regularly to lower your risks of complications.