Diabetes is a disease that is caused when the pancreas does not produce enough (or any) insulin. Insulin is needed by the body to control the sugar level in the blood. The blood circulates throughout the body, so it is reasonable (and accurate) to assume that many organs can be adversely affected by diabetes.

The eyes: Diabetes damages the eyes because at the back of the eye is a light-sensitive lining called the retina. If blood sugar levels are consistently high, the tiny blood vessels at the back of the retina will become damaged, and sight will become affected. Glaucoma and blurred vision are also associated with diabetes.

The kidneys: High blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels in the kidneys. This damage is called “nepharopathy.” It’s a vicious circle: high blood pressure can increase kidney damage in diabetics, and kidney damage can also cause high blood pressure. Sometimes it’s difficult to determine which came first.

The circulatory system: When blood glucose levels are too high and uncontrolled, the blood vessels in many parts of the body are damaged.

The brain: Nerve damage is common in diabetes. Bodily sensations originate in the nerve center of the body — the brain. When nerve damage occurs, the nerves that control sensation are damaged. This damage leads to loss of sensation in that part of the body or to unsteadiness, pain, and numbness.

The heart: Diabetics have an increased risk for heart disease as well as for stroke.

Diabetes can and does have an adverse effect on many organs in the body. Diabetes cannot be cured, but it can be controlled; and when diabetes is controlled, the risk factors for related problems decrease dramatically.

To avoid damage to the eyes, heart, brain, kidneys, and circulatory system, diabetes must test their blood sugar levels often and administer medications as needed — every single day!