Understanding Diabetes Complications: Heart, Eyes & Kidneys

Diabetes is a disease in which your body doesn't produce or use enough insulin, an important hormone for sugar absorption. If your blood sugar levels get too high, other parts of your body may be damaged, including your heart, eyes and kidneys.

Cardiovascular Disease

• Chronic high blood sugar levels can damage arteries, causing them to narrow or lose elasticity. This can cause stroke, high blood pressure and coronary artery disease.

Skin Conditions

• Blood vessels and nerves can be damaged due to long-term high blood sugar levels, causing such skin problems as blisters, rashes and infections.

Nerve Damage

• Too much sugar in your blood can injure the tiny blood vessels that provide nourishment for your nerves. This can affect your legs and digestive system and lead to sexual problems.

Eye Problems

• Uncontrolled diabetes could cause the blood vessels leading to the retina to become blocked or leak into the eye. Glaucoma and cataracts are also at increased risk for people diabetes.

Prevention/Solution

• To prevent complications from your diabetes, it's important to properly control your blood sugar levels. Monitor your blood sugar levels and see your doctor regularly. Have regular eye exams and take any prescribed medication as directed.