Long-term prospects

Both types of diabetes have the risk of complications.

Acute complications

• Low glucose level, caused by treatment with insulin or oral hypoglycaemic drugs that increase insulin secretion from the pancreas.
• Diabetic acidosis, a life-threatening condition caused by the lack of insulin.

Acute complications

• Retinopathy (eye disease) that can cause blindness.
• Diabetic kidney disease that can lead to kidney failure.
• Diabetic neuropathy (nerve disease) that can cause foot ulcers and foot infections.
• Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), particularly in smokers and those with high blood pressure and abnormal fat levels in the blood.

Late-stage complications do not usually develop for 10 to 15 years with Type 1 diabetes.

In Type 2 diabetes, however, symptoms can appear close to the time of actual diagnosis because the disease may go undetected for longer.

Many studies now show that good glucose control can significantly reduce or even stop complications. This means keeping the blood sugar level as close to normal as possible.

Recent studies have also confirmed the need for people with diabetes to reduce their risk of atherosclerosis (fatty deposits in your arteries).

This is because if you have Type 2 diabetes, you have a four to five times greater risk of developing serious problems with your circulation that can lead to a heart attack or a stroke.

The main factors that increase your risk are:

• smoking
• high blood pressure
• raised levels of fats such as cholesterol in the blood.

By taking measures to address these issues, you will reduce your chance of developing complications such as heart disease.