Both Type I, or juvenile, diabetes, and type II, or insulin-resistant, diabetes have a plethora of complications. Even though the two types of diabetes have different causes and somewhat different biological effects, both types can cause problems ranging from heart disease, serious eye problems such as diabetic retinopathy, and susceptibility to infections, circulation problems, gangrene, and strokes.

The most important way to avoid or minimize complications is to keep ones blood sugar carefully regulated. For some type II diabetics this may be able to be accomplished with diet alone, while others may need a combination of diet and an oral medication. For type I diabetics, a carefully restricted diet must be augmented by regular insulin injections. In addition to merely monitoring blood sugar and tracking food, making sensible food choices can help considerably. Eating a piece of raw fruit instead of drinking fruit juice and choosing whole grains over refined pastas and breads will provide valuable nutrients while having a less dramatic impact on blood sugar.

Beyond diet and medication, other things can be done to minimize problems. Caring immediately for any scratches, wounds, or other skin problems is important, as is protecting oneself from injury to the skin and to the extremities in the first place. For people susceptible to skin problems, specially created diabetic socks provide a supportive fit while helping keep the feet dry to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and fungus. Avoiding stress and getting enough sleep also helps the body cope with the disease.

Of course, proper medical care is also important. Like many serious chronic diseases, diabetes requires regular medical appointments with an endocrinologist. Its also important to communicate with the doctor about acute illnesses that crop up, including colds, the flu, and other common infectious diseases. A simple cold can make a non-diabetic individual miserable for a week; a diabetic, on the other hand, can have his or her blood sugar levels thrown off wildly, and need serious adjustment.

The bottom line for diabetics: eat right, monitor your blood sugar and medication levels carefully, care for all skin problems, get enough sleep, and most importantly, dont go it alone. Find a good doctor, follow his or her recommendations, and then follow up frequently. Diabetes is a serious illness with potentially serious complications, but being on top of it can mean avoiding many, if not all, of the problems that can crop up.