Diabetes is a complex health condition which can result in long term complications. Millions of people worldwide have diabetes, and the worrying fact is that a percentage of those affected are not even aware that they are diabetic!

High blood glucose levels over a period of time can damage the small and large blood vessels and nerves.

Not knowing you have Diabetes is a huge risk, because badly controlled diabetes can lead to numerous serious complications.

Here are Ten Deadly Complications Diabetes Causes!

Kidney disease: High blood glucose levels due to poor control can lead to your kidneys being overworked, which can lead to kidney disease. Severe cases can lead to kidney failure or irreversible end-stage kidney disease, requiring patients to undergo dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Hypertension (High blood pressure): Due to the hardening and narrowing of the arteries, a diabetic’s heart has to pump harder than normal and this builds up pressure against the artery walls.

Heart complications: Diabetes causes an increased narrowing of the arteries and also the hardening of the arteries which slows down blood flow. Diabetics are at risk of heart problems such as coronary artery disease (when the blood supply to the heart muscle is diminished), which is the main cause of heart attacks.

Stroke: Diabetics can suffer from strokes when the blood flow to the brain is blocked. This happens due to the hardening and narrowing of the arteries in the brain.

Eye complications: Diabetes can damage the blood vessels in the retina, which may lead to blindness. People with diabetes may also develop eye problems like glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy.

Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Nonketotic Syndrome (HHNS): Symptoms include – dry and parched mouth; extreme thirst; high fever, warm and dry skin, sleepiness or confusion, loss of vision, hallucinations, dehydration, and weakness on one side of the body.

Poor Sexual Health: In men the most common problem is erectile dysfunction (also known as impotence) Some women with diabetes may experience sexual problems such as vaginal dryness, a decrease in sexual desire, slower than normal arousal, pain during sex, and trouble having an orgasm and thrush (a yeast infection)

Foot complications: Nerve damage and damage of the blood vessels in the legs and feet of diabetics cause poor circulation, which leads to patients developing foot problems. An innocent blister on your foot can become a serious infection if left untreated. Severe damage may lead to a toe, foot or leg amputation.

Nerve damage: Uncontrolled diabetes may result in nerve damage. The high blood glucose damages nerves in the arms, hands, legs and feet. If left untreated, diabetics could lose all sense of feeling in affected limbs.

Gastroparesis: Gastroparesis is when the muscles of the stomach stop functioning properly. It is a condition that reduces the ability of the stomach to empty its contents, and it does not involve a blockage or obstruction.