Managing blood sugar is very important for individuals who have diabetes. To know if you are in "good control" of your diabetes, you need to monitor your blood sugar. When blood sugars are uncontrolled (too high or too low), it can cause complications that can interfere with your quality of life. Diabetes complications are usually classified as "acute" or "chronic."

Acute complications are problems that occur suddenly, usually with little warning. Acute complications include:

• hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
  
  
• hyperglycemia (high blood sugar)

During sudden illnesses (such as the flu or a cold) you may have difficulty controlling your blood sugar.

Chronic complications are problems that develop slowly. These complications may occur so slowly that you may not be aware of them. Chronic complications include:

• eye disease
  
  
• kidney disease
  
  
• heart disease
  
  
• foot problems
  
  
• circulation problem
  
  
• sexual functioning problems

Good blood sugar control is very important in preventing and managing these acute and chronic complications. Often as these complications occur the blood pressure rises, and control of the blood pressure helps to prevent the chronic complications of diabetes.