Diabetes is a chronic medical condition that affects nearly 24 million people in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Though the symptoms of diabetes can be managed through insulin injections, healthy diet and exercise, many people forgo treatment. In fact, approximately 6 million people in the United States are estimated to have undiagnosed diabetes, according to the CDC.
Amputation
St. Joseph's Hospital BayCare Health System in Tampa, Fla. notes that diabetes can lead to a number of serious medical effects in untreated individuals. Certain individuals with uncontrolled diabetes may develop diabetic neuropathy---a medical condition in which diabetes causes nerve damage in the hands, feet or legs, according to Civista Medical Center in La Plata, Md. This condition can decreased sensation in these regions of the body, making these patients more susceptible to developing infection. If feet and other limbs are not checked regularly, infection may spread and can lead to the amputation of a toe, foot or---in extreme cases---a leg.
Blindness
The Better Health Channel notes that individuals with untreated diabetes may develop an eye condition called diabetic retinopathy. When the sugar levels within the body remain uncontrolled, the blood vessels within the retina may be damaged. If left untreated, eyesight may progressively become worse. In certain individuals, diabetic retinopathy may lead to blindness.
Heart Disease or Stroke
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), individuals with diabetes---especially those with type 2 diabetes---are at an increased risk of developing heart disease. Factors such as obesity, physical inactivity, high blood pressure or high cholesterol levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes may contribute to this increased cardiovascular risk. According to the American Diabetes Association, 2 out of 3 people with diabetes die from heart disease or stroke. By managing your glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol levels, you may help lower your risk of developing these complications.
Kidney Disease
According to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NKUDIC), kidney failure is most commonly caused by diabetes. High blood pressure and poor diet may also contribute to kidney problems in individuals with uncontrolled diabetes. Unmanaged kidney disease may lead to the development of kidney failure, a life-threatening condition. If you have uncontrolled diabetes and kidney disease, you may need to undergo dialysis or have a kidney transplant to ensure that waste is effectively cleared from your body.
Death
According to the CDC, diabetes was the sixth leading cause of death in 2006, accounting for the deaths of almost 72,500 people in the United States. If you have uncontrolled diabetes, you are at an increased risk for developing a number of medical conditions which, if left untreated, may lead to death.
