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November is observed as Diabetes Awareness Month which aims to raise awareness about diabetes, its risks, and how to manage or prevent it. According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), there are 537 million adults between 20 and 79 years old who are living with diabetes. This number is predicted to rise to 643 million by 2030 and 783 million by 2045.

Diabetes is a disease wherein your blood sugar (glucose) levels are high. A person usually develops the condition when their pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or no insulin at all or when their body doesn’t respond to the insulin that is produced by the pancreas. There are different types of diabetes and depending on the type, the condition can be classified into chronic or acute.

Chronic diabetes are Type 1 Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes. Pre-diabetes and gestational diabetes are conditions which can have the potential to be reversed and can be classified as acute. There are different complications that one tends to develop due to diabetes. People tend to gradually develop the long-term complications of the condition. Here are some of the complications of diabetes.

Diabetes increases the risk of heart-related issues such as heart attacks, strokes and high blood pressure. High blood sugar damages blood vessels, thereby, making them more prone to blockages. Over time, this damage can increase the risks of plaque buildup. This narrows the arteries, reduces blood flow to the heart and increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

High blood sugar levels can damage the tiny blood vessels, especially in the legs and feet. This leads to neuropathy which this characterised by pain, tingling and numbness in the affected areas. If this is not treated, nerve damage can result in sores or infections that don’t heal and in some cases, it can lead to amputation.

Diabetes is one of the major causes of kidney disease because high blood sugar can damage the kidneys’ filtering systems. Eventually, the kidneys become less effective at removing waste from the blood and this can lead to kidney failure. People with chronic kidney disease need dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Diabetic retinopathy occurs when high blood sugar damages the blood vessels in the retina which is the light-sensitive part of the eye. If not treated, this can lead to blurred vision, vision loss or even blindness. People with diabetes also have a higher risk of developing cataracts and glaucoma which can further impair vision.

Due to poor circulation and nerve damage, people with diabetes can develop serious infections. Reduced blood flow means wounds heal slower, thereby, increasing the risk of complications like ulcers and infections. If left untreated, severe infections might lead to amputation.

People with diabetes have higher chances of bacterial and fungal infections, dry skin and slow-healing sores. High blood sugar levels reduce the body’s ability to fight infections.

Diabetes can affect the blood vessels and nerves in the ears, leading to hearing loss. Studies suggest that people with diabetes are more likely to have hearing difficulties and this happens due to poor blood flow or nerve damage in the inner ear.

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