What complications are associated with managing diabetes without lifestyle interventions?

Managing diabetes without incorporating lifestyle interventions can lead to several serious complications, including diabetic neuropathy and retinopathy. These conditions arise due to prolonged high blood glucose levels that damage the nerves and blood vessels over time.

Diabetic neuropathy occurs when high blood glucose levels result in nerve damage, which can lead to pain, tingling, or loss of sensation, particularly in the feet and hands. This can also affect the autonomic nerves, leading to issues such as gastrointestinal problems and heart rate abnormalities.

Retinopathy, on the other hand, is a condition where damage to the blood vessels in the retina occurs due to the same prolonged exposure to elevated glucose levels. This can eventually lead to severe vision issues or even blindness if not properly managed.

In contrast, the other options mentioned may not directly correlate with the mismanagement of diabetes. For example, hypertension can relate to diabetes but is not specifically a complication stemming from the lack of lifestyle changes. Acid reflux and ulcers typically have more to do with dietary habits rather than diabetes management itself. Thus, without proper lifestyle interventions, the likelihood of developing diabetic neuropathy and retinopathy increases significantly, making them key complications associated with unmanaged diabetes.