Obesity can increase your risk of diabetes, heart disease, depression, breathing problems and early death. Obesity can also affect your social life and sexual function. Losing weight, or avoiding gaining weight, can help improve your health.

Symptoms of EPI include stomach pain, weight loss, and diarrhea. EPI often happens when you have another medical condition like cystic fibrosis. You can prevent EPI by drinking less alcohol, eating healthy, and not smoking. Talk to your doctor to learn more.

Symptoms of diabetic neuropathy (nerve pain) range from numbness to severe pain. Some evidence suggests alternative treatments may help with pain such as exercise, capsaicin skin cream or dietary supplements such as alpha-lipoic acid, vitamin B12 and vitamin D.

Many people do not take their medication as prescribed by their health care provider. There are many ways to encourage people to take their medication, including encouragement by health providers, family and friends, but these do not always lead to improvements. More research is needed on this topic.

It can be difficult to keep track of all of your medications, particularly if you are taking multiple prescriptions. Any medication is dangerous if not taken properly. Keep your schedule simple, put your pills in easy-to-use packages, and set reminders to help you better manage your long-term medication. Talk to your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your medication.

If you have any of the components of metabolic syndrome (increased blood pressure, high blood sugar levels, excess body fat around the waist, abnormal cholesterol levels), aggressive changes to your lifestyle may be required to either delay or prevent serious health problems.