Diabetes complications

Diabetes can cause many serious health complications [44997][45543]. Some may develop soon after diagnosis while others may develop over several years.

Complications associated with all types of diabetes can include:

• heart disease
• stroke
• kidney disease
• eye disease
• nerve damage resulting in lower limb and foot disease
• bladder and kidney health
• depression and mental health
• skin, teeth and gum health
• sexual health [44997][45667][47945].

Gestational diabetes can cause complications during pregnancy, labour and delivery including hypertension, pre-eclampsia, pre-term birth, still birth, low and high birthweight, admission to neonatal intensive care and longer stays in hospital [44997].

Reducing the impact of diabetes among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is one of the key goals of the Australian national diabetes strategy 2021-2030 [44185]. Areas identified for action include:

• communicating the seriousness of diabetes and its complications via community-wide and culturally relevant services and programs
• providing specialist support and care in regions and enhance telehealth services and facilities to treat serious complications of diabetes.