### Complications of Type 2 Diabetes and Their Impact on Life Expectancy Type 2 diabetes can lead to several serious health complications that may reduce your life expectancy. Here are some of the most common complications and how they affect your well-being: 1. **Cardiovascular Disease**: High blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke. Many people with type 2 diabetes also have high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which further increase these risks. 2. **Kidney Disease**: Diabetes is a leading cause of kidney failure. High blood sugar levels can damage the kidneys over time, leading to chronic kidney disease and eventually kidney failure. 3. **Nerve Damage**: High blood sugar can damage nerves throughout the body. This can lead to problems like numbness and pain in the feet and hands, digestive issues, and even heart problems if the autonomic nerves are affected. 4. **Eye Problems**: Diabetes can damage the blood vessels in the eyes, leading to conditions like diabetic retinopathy, which can cause blindness if not treated. 5. **Foot Problems**: Nerve damage and poor blood flow can lead to serious foot problems, including infections and even amputations. 6. **Gum Disease**: People with type 2 diabetes are more prone to gum disease, which can lead to tooth loss and also increase the risk of heart disease. 7. **Skin Conditions**: Diabetes can make you more susceptible to skin infections and other skin problems. 8. **Diabetic Ketoacidosis**: Although rare in type 2 diabetes, high blood sugar levels without adequate insulin can cause a dangerous buildup of ketones in the blood, leading to diabetic ketoacidosis, a potentially life-threatening condition. Managing type 2 diabetes effectively involves regular monitoring of blood sugar levels, taking prescribed medications, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle through diet and exercise. Proper management can help reduce the risk of these complications and improve your life expectancy.