i know some elderly people who have diabetes.does it affect how long you live.if you manage it right can you live as long as people without it??

Yes, diabetes definitely has an effect on longevity. If it is carefully controlled with diet, exercise, pills or insulin to keep blood sugar levels within the normal range, there is no reason why a person couldn't live to a ripe old age. The trouble is, most people have had undiagnosed diabetes for years and didn't know it because they failed to have yearly checkups from their doctor. Those especially at risk are those who have been overweight for a long period of time. The longer blood sugars are allowed to run amok, the greater the possibility of complications. And it is the complications that are so deadly, not diabetes itself. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to heart attacks and strokes, kidney damage, eye damage and nerve impairment that can often result in amputations. Everyone should be tested for this disease. Symptoms are frequent thirst, urination, hunger, unexplained weight loss, blurred vision and fatigue. If you have these symptoms and are overweight, I would strongly urge you to see your doctor. If you are diagnosed with this disease, there are ways of controlling it so the sugars don't get out of hand. Keeping normal blood sugars is the key to staying healthy. There is no cure as yet for diabetes, but many people can live a normal lifespan with the proper care and treatment. Absolutely. When diabetes is controlled, your life expectancy is not really affected. Hate to say it, but it is less than others without diabetes. Checkout the below link to an article I recently found: