Almost everyone knows someone who has diabetes -- a chronic condition in which the body cannot properly convert food into energy. An estimated 6.3 percent of the American population has diabetes; and each year, 1.3 million people 20 years of age or older are diagnosed with the condition. Over time, the high blood glucose levels caused by diabetes can lead to several health problems and complications. Symptoms of diabetes can include weight loss, a need to urinate frequently, and sores that do not heal. A few of the complications that diabetes can lead to include blindness, kidney failure, nerve damage, and amputations. Effectively managing diabetes is critical to help minimize the risks of future complications.