People with diabetes can get some health problems, especially if they don't take very good care of themselves. These include:

Neuropathy (nur-OP-a-thee), or nerve damage. Neuropathy can cause problems in your feet and legs as well as in other systems in your body.

Retinopathy (RET-in-OP-a-thee), eye damage.

Nephropathy (NEFF-rop-a-thee), kidney damage. Your kidneys filter waste out of your blood. When they don't work right, poisons can build up.

Heart disease. Heart disease is more common in people with diabetes.

There are treatments to help people with diabetes-related complications. For example, eye surgery can help people with retinopathy see better. But the best treatment by far is good blood glucose control, both right now and as you get older. Good control now can help delay or prevent complications in the future. Make the commitment to good diabetes care for your future.