What Happens If You Don't Treat Your Diabetes?

How to prevent high blood glucose level complications

Diabetes can increase your risk of many serious health problems most of which are entirely preventable if you keep your blood glucose in a healthy range.

• Eyes - Reduce your risk of developing diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, cataracts and other eye problems with regular check-ups.
• Feet - Foot problems can occur when there is nerve damage (also called neuropathy), which results in loss of feeling in your feet. Check your feet for injury and inside your shoes for foreign objects that you might not be able to see at first glance, before you put them on. Contact your healthcare professional if you do have a foot injury. Visit your healthcare professional at least once a year to have a complete foot examination.
• Stroke or heart attack - having diabetes increases your risk of a stroke or heart attack. You can help to reduce this risk by having regular checks of your blood pressure, cholesterol level and taking all your prescribed medication regularly.

Lower your risks

You can lower your risk by taking care of your health, by keeping your blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol on target with a healthy eating plan, regular physical activity and taking any prescribed medicine or treatment.

Diabetes can cause difficulties during pregnancy such as miscarriage or a baby born with problems such as macrosomia/birth trauma, neonatal hypo, hyperbilirubinemia.

Women with diabetes are also more likely to have a heart attack, and at a younger age.

Some men with diabetes could experience impotence, also called erectile dysfunction this is when the man can no longer have or keep an erection. There are treatments which may help with this.

Your healthcare professional is always on hand to help you, with any concerns and symptoms that you are experiencing.