Final answer:
The two principal long-term complications of diabetes are cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke, and diabetic nephropathy, which can lead to kidney failure. These complications arise from damage to small blood vessels due to uncontrolled high blood glucose levels.
Step-by-step explanation:
Long-standing diabetes can lead to a number of serious health complications. One of the key long-term issues is damage to the small blood vessels, which can lead to a series of detrimental health outcomes. The two principal long-term complications include cardiovascular disease and diabetic nephropathy.
Cardiovascular disease encompasses conditions such as coronary artery disease and stroke, which may arise as a consequence of the blood vessel damage caused by high blood glucose levels. Similarly, diabetic nephropathy, or kidney disease, can progress to the point of requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant as a result of the compromised blood vessels in the kidneys.
In addition to these complications, diabetes can lead to diabetic neuropathy, loss of vision, and increased risk of infections due to compromised wound healing. Thus, maintaining optimal blood glucose control through lifestyle interventions and medications is crucial in reducing the risk of these long-term diabetes complications.