The International Diabetes Federation estimates there are 194 million people in the world suffering from either type 1 or type 2 diabetes, with the largest growth in rapidly developing countries. Diabetes, a metabolic disorder, is a lifelong condition of high blood sugar (glucose) that is caused by either a lack of insulin (a hormone produced by the pancreas that is necessary for uptake of glucose) or the inability of insulin to work. Because diabetes is a condition of the blood, the damaging effects can reach all the organs of the body.
Kidney
The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse reports that diabetes is the most common cause of kidney failure in the United States. The high level of glucose in the blood results in glucose spilling over into the urine. To dilute the level of sugar in the urine, the kidneys work harder to produce more urine. Over time, the glomeruli, the structures within the kidneys that filter the urine, become scarred and are not able to function normally. This can lead to end-stage kidney disease and kidney failure.
Heart
Diabetes can interfere with heart functions and cause permanent damage to the heart. Patients with diabetes are two to six times more likely to develop atherosclerosis, according to the Merck Manual. Atherosclerosis occurs when the lining of the blood vessels is damaged, such as from high blood pressure, inviting white blood cells to the area. These white blood cells attract fats, cholesterol and calcium to the area, which together form a substance called plaque. As the plaque builds up, the blood vessels become narrower, interfering with normal blood flow and resulting in less blood and therefore less oxygen reaching the heart.
Because the heart is working harder to pump blood and is receiving less oxygen, the muscles of the heart become weak. In addition, the added pressure from pumping harder can cause the ventricle, the bottom portion of the heart, to become enlarged. These conditions can lead to a heart attack or heart failure.
Liver
The liver plays an essential role in maintaining blood glucose levels and taking in glucose to store as glycogen for use as energy later. The continual variation in blood glucose levels and frequent dosing of insulin can lead to an excess of glycogen deposits in the liver. This excess glycogen can lead to abnormal liver enzyme levels and cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.
Diabetes can also cause a liver condition known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This condition develops in 40 to 70 percent of patients with diabetes, according to an article published in Clinical Diabetes. The abnormal accumulation of fatty tissue in the liver can lead to cirrhosis of the liver, permanent scarring of liver tissue that interrupts the flow of blood through the liver.
Eyes
The high glucose levels in the blood damages blood vessels throughout the body. Damage to the blood vessels that supply the retina, the light-sensitive membrane that covers the back of the eye, can cause them to leak fluid or grow abnormally and obscure vision. This condition is called retinopathy, and if left untreated, it can result in blindness.
