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There are three types of chronic complications among Diabetics. These are microvascular, neuropathic and macrovascular complications. When the capillary and arteriole basement membranes thicken they cause microvascular complications. As a result the eyes and kidneys are affected.

Among the macrovascular complications are coronary artery disease and peripheral vascular disease. The most prevalent type of complication is diabetic neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy affects the legs and feet. Autonomic neuropathy affects involuntary nerves of the internal organs. Focal neuropathy affects a single nerve or group of nerves.

The reason and cause of diabetic neuropathy is not known completely. There are various theories around this, however. One theory holds diabetic vascular changes responsible.

There are 5 stages of Diabetic Nephropathy. In stage I there is renal hypertrophy. You need tight blood glucose control to fight it. In stage II there is elevated GFR. In stage III there is persistent microalbuminuria, high GFR and BP. In stage IV, 10-15 years after the onset of the illness there is hypertension, retinopathy and protoninuria which requires intensive treatment. In stage N the patient may need dialysis or a kidney transplant.