managing diabetes complications

People with diabetes are living longer, healthier lives than ever before. Research has provided more and better treatments for the various complications of diabetes. Understanding how diabetes impacts your body is an important part of self-management.
Complications of diabetes are generally broken into two categories; short-term and long-term. Short-term complications arise daily and can be serious if you don't know how to treat them. Everyone responds a little differently to changes in their blood glucose levels, so it's important for you to know what's "normal" for you, so you can look for signs that you're not feeling your best, and take action if necessary. It's a good idea to share your action plan with people who care about you, so they can help you if you become unable to help yourself.
Common short-term complications include:
Hypoglycemia - When blood glucose levels are too low, it's called hypoglycemia. People who don't have diabetes can still experience low blood glucose levels. Know the symptoms and how to treat it.
Hyperglycemia - When blood glucose levels are high, it's called hyperglycemia. Know the symptoms and how to treat it.
Sick days - Illness can impact blood glucose levels. Test more frequently and make sure you know how to adjust your diabetes routine when you're feeling under the weather.
Ketones - If you have type 1 diabetes, your body may produce ketones (acids) and release them into the blood and urine when too little insulin is present. They are a warning that blood glucose levels may be out of control.
Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) - If you have type 1 diabetes, large amounts of ketones and dangerously high blood glucose levels can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis, a medical emergency.
The longer someone lives with diabetes, however, the greater the chance of developing long-term complications. There are many factors that contribute to long-term complications, but studies like the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT), proved that intensive control - working aggressively to keep your blood sugar at normal or near-normal levels - re