Diabetes can be debilitating, and there are many reasons for this.
It is not uncommon for people with diabetes to experience advanced neuropathy to the point that he or she cannot walk.
Diabetes can also be debilitating in that people with it have an increased risk of stroke.
Other complications such as heart disease, sight impairment, and the need for kidney dialysis would all be considered debilitating.
The good news is that all of these can be prevented if treatment is started early and aggressively.
This treatment includes meticulous control of blood glucose (average glucose below 150 mg/dL), blood pressure (below 130/80), LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol below 100 mg/dL), daily aspirin, and smoking cessation. Research also has shown that one particular type of blood pressure medication, called ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors, has an additional protective effect on complications besides lowering blood pressure.