There are a number of health complications which are directly linked to diabetes; they can be divided into two areas – acute and chronic.
Acute - Serious complications that can develop very quickly. These complications can also be treated quickly and effectively, if treatment is administered promptly. Acute complications are primarily a result of uncontrolled blood glucose levels and include hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hypoglycemic hyperosmolar state (HHS).
Chronic - Serious complications that develop over many years. In the case of chronic complications, damage often occurs before any symptoms present, which means treatment is long term. Routine checks for common chronic diabetes complications are recommended for diabetes patients as a preventative measure. These complications may include cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, blindness and nerve damage.