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Heart disease. This is often caused by an extra buildup of plaque on the inner wall of a blood vessel (atherosclerosis). The plaque buildup limits blood flow. Heart attack and stroke are twice as likely in people with diabetes than people without diabetes. High blood sugar (glucose) from diabetes can damage your blood vessels and the nerves that control your heart and blood vessels. Over time, this damage can lead to heart disease. Besides high blood sugar, the other things that raise the risk for heart disease include smoking, high blood pressure, diabetic kidney disease, and high cholesterol.
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High blood pressure. As many as 2 out of 3 people with diabetes also have high blood pressure (hypertension). It raises the risk for diabetes-related complications. This includes heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, and blindness. Diabetes and high blood pressure share many of the same causes and risk factors. These include insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, and oxidative stress. They also include not being physically active, obesity, and being at a higher weight.
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Dental disease. Gum (periodontal) disease affects about 22% of people with diabetes. Diabetes also increases your risk for dental cavities, dry mouth, thrush (a fungal infection), and changes in how foods and beverages taste. And it increases your risk for burning mouth syndrome. This is a burning feeling inside your mouth caused by uncontrolled blood glucose levels.
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Eye disease or blindness (retinopathy or glaucoma). Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults ages 20 to 74. High blood sugar raises the risk for blindness from diabetes. So does smoking, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and diabetic kidney disease. People with diabetes are twice as likely to have glaucoma and cataracts as someone without diabetes. They are also more likely to get them at a younger age. The chance of developing eye disease increases the longer a person has diabetes.
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Kidney and urinary tract disease (renal disease). Diabetes is a main risk factor for end-stage renal disease (ESRD). People with this condition need dialysis or a kidney transplant to live. Besides high blood sugar, the other things that raise the risk for kidney failure from diabetes include smoking, high blood pressure, a high-salt diet, obesity, being at a higher weight, and some medicines, such as pain relievers.
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Nerve disease (diabetic neuropathy). About half of all people with diabetes have some form of nerve damage. Symptoms depend on which type of diabetic nerve disease you have. Often, this can cause disabling pain that needs to be treated with medicines. Severe forms of diabetic nerve disease are the major reason for lower-leg amputations.
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Amputation. Many lower-limb amputations in the United States that are not from an injury happen among people with diabetes. Besides high blood sugar, the other things that raise the risk for amputation include smoking, high blood pressure, diabetic kidney disease, high cholesterol, and foot injuries. The nerve damage caused by diabetes can make you lose feeling in your feet. You may not notice a wound, ulcer, or sore until it develops an infection that may lead to gangrene. Gangrene and foot ulcers that do not respond to treatment can lead to an amputation of a toe, foot, or part of the leg. Many people with nerve damage from diabetes need to have regular foot exams to prevent infection from wounds.
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Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). DKA is one of the most serious outcomes of diabetes that is not well controlled. It mainly happens in people with type 1 diabetes. This condition is usually due to inadequate dosing, missed doses, or ongoing infection. DKA is marked by high blood sugar levels. It's also marked by ketones in the urine and blood.
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Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome (HHS). This condition mainly happens in people with type 2 diabetes. Unlike DKA, HHS usually does not present with too much ketones in the urine. This is because insulin still gets made by the pancreas.
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Erectile dysfunction (ED). You have ED if you can't get or keep an erection. It occurs when the blood vessels and the nerves in the penis are damaged. Vascular disease is one of the main causes of ED with diabetes. Nerve damage caused by diabetes can affect different parts of your body, including your genitals and urinary tract. ED can also occur as a side effect of certain medicines. And it can happen because of other conditions that affect the prostate gland or bladder. Other things that can cause ED include smoking, being at a higher weight, stress, and anxiety.
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Low sexual desire and response. Nerve damage caused by diabetes, reduced blood flow to the genitals, and hormonal changes can lead to low sexual desire and response. They can also lead to vaginal dryness and, in some cases, painful sex. Other conditions can cause these problems too, such as menopause. With diabetes, you are also more prone to yeast infections because yeast organisms can grow more easily when your blood sugar levels are higher.
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Urinary incontinence. Diabetes can damage nerves that supply the urinary tract and cause bladder problems, such as the accidental release of urine (urinary incontinence). Being at a higher weight and obesity can also cause urinary incontinence.
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Peripheral artery disease. Diabetes and high blood pressure are two of the common causes of blockages by plaque in the arteries in your arms and legs. Sometimes surgery is needed to either remove or bypass these blockages. This is done to restore blood supply to the feet to fight off infection.
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Cancer. Type 2 diabetes may also lead to cancer, specifically bladder cancer, in those using the medicine pioglitazone.