About Diabetes
What is Diabetes?
People with diabetes have problems regulating the amount of glucose (sugar) in their blood. This happens because insulin production is insufficient or insulin does not function properly. Thus, glucose cannot be converted into energy we need. This results in increased blood glucose level, and the extra glucose will be excreted in urine.

What are the long term complications of Diabetes?
Persistent high blood glucose levels may lead to vascular and nerve damages which in turn affect organ functions. People with diabetes have risks of developing one or more of the following complications:

Retinopathy, Cataract, Glaucoma
These conditions may lead to blindness. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in people aged 20 – 74. Patients are 25 times more likely to lose their eyesight.

Kidney Disease
Diabetes is the most common cause of end-stage renal failure. 20 – 40% of people with diabetes will develop kidney disease.

Heart Disease and Stroke
People with diabetes are 4 times more likely to have heart disease and stroke.

Nerve and Peripheral Vascular Diseases
These conditions may lead to serious foot ulcers that require an amputation. Diabetes is the most frequent cause of non-traumatic lower leg amputation. Patients are 20 - 40 times more likely to require this procedure.

Sexual Dysfunction
More than 10% of men with diabetes suffer from sexual dysfunction.

How to prevent or delay the onset of complications of Diabetes?
It is very important that diabetic patients keep their blood glucose levels within the normal target range in order to reduce their risk of developing the complications. You may not notice anything abnormal even if you have a complication. Health care professionals, however, can detect your problem long before symptoms appear. Early detection and intervention are the best ways to prevent or delay complications.