Both type I and type II diabetes are best treated with a team approach, with the patient being the most important part of the team. The goal of treatment is to keep blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible and so prevent long-term complications. As most of the daily care is the responsibility of the person who has diabetes, patient education is imperative. Although the study only focused on type I diabetes, most doctors believe that people with type II will also benefit from keeping their blood sugar as close to normal as possible. Complications of both type I and type II include eye disease and blindness, heart disease, strokes, kidney disease and kidney failure, amputations, nerve damage, skin infections, and gum disease.
Diabetes can also cause complications of pregnancy and congenital malformations.
In 1992, diabetes contributed to at least 169,000 deaths. In 1993, diabetes was the seventh leading cause of death listed on death certificates in the United States. Arturo Rolla, MD, is an endocrinologist at New England Deaconess Hospital and an associate clinical professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. Joan Stout is a professional writer and editor.