Nearly 800,000 people in Michigan have diabetes, and another 2.6 million have prediabetes, which means they're at risk of developing the disease.

During National Diabetes Awareness Month, health professionals are trying to get the message out about serious complications that often come with the disease including diabetes related kidney, eye and heart disease, diabetic neuropathy, and circulation problems that can lead to foot ulcers.

"Diabetes is actually going up about one percent per year. Probably the greatest two reasons [are] faulty diet and lack of exercise."

That's vascular surgeon Dr. Gary Gibbons who adds that as soon as someone is diagnosed with diabetes, they need to be careful because ulcers can lead to amputations and even death.

The CDC says diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, killing nearly 80,000 people every year.