Complications of Diabetes Mellitus

Poorly controlled Diabetes can cause many complications. High blood sugar may lead to dangerous acute complications such as diabetic ketoacidosis or non-ketotic hyperosmolar coma. Serious long-term complications include cardiovascular disease, chronic renal failure, and diabetic retinopathy (retinal damage). Adequate treatment of diabetes is thus important, as well as blood pressure control and modification of lifestyle factors such as smoking cessation, regular exercise and maintaining a healthy body weight. As of 2012, it is estimated that 346 million people have type 2 diabetes worldwide.