Poor Circulation

• Diabetes causes poor circulation, which can lead to a variety of related complications such as stroke, high blood pressure and heart disease. The Federal Citizen Information Center says that a diabetic person's risk of having a heart attack is doubled.
  
  Because blood flow to the feet is often impaired, diabetics often develop foot problems such as peripheral vascular disease. This causes the blood vessels to the legs and feet to become narrower because of fatty deposits. Diabetes-related nerve damage can dull feeling in the feet. Poor circulation will impair feeling, while dulled sensitivity can allow an infection to develop with a person not realizing what has happened because there is no pain.
  
  

Kidney Problems

• Diabetes may cause kidney problems in a variety of ways. Blood pressure is a complication of diabetes, and it also heightens the risk of kidney problems. Diabetes can also affect the bladder nerves, making it harder to empty the bladder. This can allow bacteria to grow, leading to infections. If this becomes chronic, it can lead to kidney disease.
  
  

Eye Problems

• Fluctuating blood sugar levels caused by diabetes can damage a person's eyes. A frequently changing level can cause problems with the balance of fluid in the eye's lens. The lens can absorb too much fluid, which makes it swell and causes blurred vision. Diabetes-related nerve damage can also cause blurring. Diabetic retinopathy is a condition in which the blood vessels that send blood to the retina are damaged. The vessels can swell up and leak fluid, and new vessels may grow and cause bleeding into the eye's vitreous gel.
  
  

Skin Problems

• The American Diabetes Association says that skin problems are often one of the first signs of diabetes. Typical problems include bacterial and fungal infections, itching caused by poor circulation and scaly, light brown patches on the legs, known as diabetic dermopathy.
  
  

Infections

• In addition to skin infections, the FCIC says that diabetics are more prone to other types of infections. These include vaginal infections in women and periodontal disease in diabetics of both sexes. Diabetics are also more prone to ulcers and boils.
  
  

Depression

• The ADA says that the daily stress of managing diabetes can lead to depression. Statistics show that diabetics are more likely to become depressed than people who do not have this chronic disease. Complications that make a person feel like she is losing control of her health can cause depressive episodes.