Diabetes & Jaundice: Affected Organs and Systems

Diabetes

* Pancreas: In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas produces little or no insulin. In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas may produce some insulin, but the body doesn't use it effectively.

* Blood vessels: Diabetes can damage blood vessels throughout the body, leading to complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and blindness.

* Nerves: Diabetes can also damage nerves, causing numbness, tingling, and pain in the hands, feet, and other parts of the body.

Jaundice

* Liver: Jaundice is a condition in which the skin and whites of the eyes turn yellow. It is caused by a buildup of bilirubin, a yellow pigment that is produced when red blood cells are broken down.

* Bile ducts: Bile ducts are small tubes that carry bile from the liver to the gallbladder and small intestine. When bile ducts are blocked, it can cause jaundice.

* Gallbladder: The gallbladder is a small organ that stores bile. When the gallbladder is inflamed or diseased, it can cause jaundice.

* Red blood cells: Jaundice can also be caused by a condition called hemolytic anemia, in which red blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be replaced.