According to the American Diabetes Association, nearly 8 percent of the population has diabetes, including both children and adults. As diabetes is a chronic condition of lack of blood sugar control, many organs may eventually be affected by the disease, sometimes severely. Diabetes is the leading cause of many serious disorders such as cardiovascular disease, kidney disease and blindness.
Heart and Blood Vessels
Cardiovascular disease is a frequent cause of death in diabetics. Increased blood sugar levels have an adverse effect upon lipid levels in the bloodstream, resulting in plaque formation in the blood vessels. The development of atherosclerosis contributes to congestive heart failure (CHF), heart attack and stroke due to narrowing of blood vessels. High blood pressure increases these risks.
Genitourinary System
High blood sugar levels in diabetics can contribute to the development of kidney disease. Due to the constant stress of filtering high levels of blood sugar, the kidneys may become damaged and leaky, eventually leaking protein into the blood and progressing to end stage renal disease. High blood pressure increases this risk. Some patients with diabetes may develop bladder problems. Nerves leading to the bladder may malfunction and create spasms known as overactive bladder and some patients lose control of the sphincter that holds in urine, resulting in incontinence. Erectile dysfunction is a complaint among some diabetic men, as nerve cells and blood vessels become damaged and can no longer supply and hold blood necessary to the formation of an erection.
Nervous System
Nerve damage may result from high blood sugar levels. Peripheral diabetic neuropathy causes symptoms such as tingling, pain and numbness in the hands, feet and skin, along with weakness. Autonomic diabetic neuropathy can cause the intestines to stop working correctly and can also result in loss of urinary control, loss of sexual function and changes in the ability of the body to sweat. The development of diabetic neuropathy may include loss of the nervous system's ability to recognize warning signs of low blood glucose levels, heart attack and injury to the feet due to loss of sensation.
Eyes
High blood sugar levels in diabetes contribute to eye complications, some of which may lead to blindness. Cataracts are also common in diabetics, particularly those with type 2 diabetes. High blood glucose levels can cause eye pressure to build up, resulting in glaucoma. This may cause loss of blood supply to the retina and optic nerve, which can result in blindness. Diabetic retinopathy is caused by damage to the small blood vessels of the retina, resulting in fluid and blood leakage that may cause vision loss. Proliferative diabetic retinopathy may develop if scar tissue forms because of blood vessel damage. New vessels that may grow to replace damaged ones are often weak and brittle and may cause vision loss if they vitreous hemorrhage. The scar tissue may also bind to the retina, causing retinal detachment that results in blindness.
Skin and Feet
Changes to the nervous system may result in oil and sweat gland malfunctioning because the nerves controlling the glands do not work. This may lead to rashes and dry, cracking and peeling skin. If the diabetes causes major blood vessel damage, circulation decreases and wounds don't heal well. Diabetics are also prone to fungal infections of the skin and may develop foot ulcers. If circulation is very poor, wounds in the feet may become infected and unable to heal, which sometimes results in amputation of the feet.
