Learning that you have diabetes can lead to feelings of grief, anger, guilt, and even denial. Some people decide to rebel and refuse treatment, falsely believing that diabetes is not as serious as researchers and medical professionals say that it can be for someone with diabetes. The truth is that what you don’t know, or refuse to believe can kill you.

Diabetes is a serious medical condition that can lead to complications, and eventually death from poorly controlled blood sugar or other issues related to diabetes. Experiencing very high blood sugar levels or very low blood sugar can quickly become a medical emergency and lead to coma or death.

Diabetes can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis, which occurs when your body starts burning fat for energy, which in turn produces ketones. Ketones build up in the blood and become toxic. Diabetic ketoacidosis can lead to coma or death.

Adults that have diabetes have a much greater risk of having a heart attack or stroke, compared to people that do not have diabetes. Diabetes is also a leading cause of kidney failure in the U.S., and around the globe.

Diabetic retinopathy can cause blindness, while diabetic neuropathy can damage nerves and cause complications to the extremities. People with diabetic neuropathy may experience poor blood flow to the legs and feet. Some people have to have amputations due to complications.

Adhere to your treatment plan, and actively participate as a member of your care team to provide the best opportunity to control your blood sugar and to reduce your chances of developing complications, which can easily lead to death.