With both non-insulin dependent and insulin dependent diabetes, poorly controlled blood glucose levels can take a severe toll on many parts of the body. This can result in unpleasant and potentially lethal complications, both in the short and long term. The risk of such complications increases with the duration of the disease. They can be quite insidious and give little or no warning until they are quite advanced. This is why people with diabetes are urged to monitor and control their blood glucose levels, undergo regular tests and check-ups and, in general, look after themselves carefully.

Let's take a closer look at some of these complications, and how they may be avoided — and treated.