"How well you manage your diabetes depends on how much you know about it and how you live with it."
Latino Diabetes Association

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Risks of Diabetes

If diabetes is not properly controlled the risks increase over the years. Diabetic Risks include atherosclerosis- blockage in the arteries caused by fatty depositsf and small blood vessel disease, causing damage to organs in the body.

The following risk factors are important to note:
*Family history of diabetes (parent or sibling)
*Age greater than 45 years
*Gestational diabetes or delivering a baby weighing more than 9 pounds
*High blood levels of triglycerides (a type of fat molecule)
*Obesity
*Certain ethnic groups (particularly African-*Americans and Hispanic Americans)
*High blood pressure
*High blood cholesterol level

The organs most affected by diabetes are the kidneys, eyes, nervous system, circulation system and skin problems. The diseases most commonly associated with diabetics are:

Cardiovascular disease: heart attack and strokes.

Retinopathy: Blindness

Nephropathy: Kidney failure.

Neuropathy: Numbness and loss of sensation in the legs.

Arterial disease in the legs: Diabetic foot problems (non healing ulcers, infection, gangrene) and amputation.

Diabetic Complications

Kidney disease

Eye disease

Foot Problems

Nerve disease

Heart disease

Blood Vessels