Treatment:

There is no cure for diabetes. Treatment involves medicines, diet, and exercise to control blood sugar and prevent symptoms and problems.

For more information on how to take care of your diabetes, see also:

• Diabetes diet
• Diabetes foot care
• Type 1 diabetes
• Type 2 diabetes

Support Groups:

For more information, see diabetes resources.

Expectations (prognosis):

Studies have shown that better control of blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure levels in persons with diabetes helps reduce the risk of kidney disease, eye disease, nervous system disease, heart attack, and stroke.

Complications:

Emergency complications include:

• Diabetic hyperglycemic hyperosmolar coma
• Diabetic ketoacidosis

After many years, diabetes can lead to other serious problems:

• You could have eye problems, including trouble seeing (especially at night) and light sensitivity. You could become blind.
• Your feet and skin can develop sores and infections. After a long time, your foot or leg may need to be removed. Infection can also cause pain and itching in other parts of the body.
• Diabetes may make it harder to control your blood pressure and cholesterol. This can lead to a heart attack, stroke, or other problems. It can become harder for blood to flow to your legs and feet.
• Nerves in the body can become damaged, causing pain, tingling, and a loss of feeling.
• Because of nerve damage, you could have problems digesting the food you eat. You could feel weakness or have trouble going to the bathroom. Nerve damage can also make it harder for men to have an erection.
• High blood sugar and other problems can lead to kidney damage. The kidneys might not work as well, and they may even stop working.