Diabetes of all types can lead to complications in many parts of the body and can increase the overall risk of dying prematurely. Possible complications include kidney failure, leg amputation, vision loss and nerve damage. Adults with diabetes also have two- to three-fold increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. In pregnancy, poorly controlled diabetes increases the risk of fetal death and other complications.

These symptoms are seen in millions of cases around the world. Nearly 3% of global blindness can be attributed to diabetic retinopathy, which occurs as a result of long-term accumulated damage to the blood vessels in the retina. Diabetes is also among the leading causes of kidney failure. Reduced blood flow and nerve damage in the feet caused by diabetes can lead to foot ulcers, and the associated infections and complications can lead to the need for limb amputation, as well as severe and life-long health problems.

Source: PAHO/WHO