Effects of Diabetes on the Body Organs

 

Effects of Diabetes on the Body Organs

Diabetes mellitus is a long-term metabolic disorder that is marked by a high concentration of blood glucose levels because of defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. Although the disease mainly influences the metabolism of sugar in the body, its influence goes far beyond blood sugar concentration. Over time effects of diabetes on the body organs will destroy virtually every organ in the body, causing acute and chronic complications.

1. The Cardiovascular System

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

High triglycerides and low HDL (good) cholesterol or high LDL (bad) cholesterol leads to hardening of the arteries.

Effects:

   Atherosclerosis: High blood glucose harms blood vessel walls, leading to plaque buildup.

  Hypertension: Diabetes tends to be associated with high blood pressure, which is an added burden on the heart.

 Coronary artery disease (CAD): Increased risk of heart attack.

  Stroke: Narrowing and blockage of cerebral blood vessels heighten stroke risk.

   Mechanism: High glucose causes oxidative stress, inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction, making blood vessels less elastic.

2 The Kidneys (Diabetic Nephropathy)

Diabetic nephropathy is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease. As a microvascular complication, it involves patients with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

   Effects:  Glomeruli (filtering units) damage resulting in protein leakage (proteinuria).

   Gradual loss of kidney function, possibly resulting in chronic kidney disease or end-stage renal failure (ESRD).

   Mechanism: Hyperglycemia thickens and scars the glomerular basement membrane, decreasing filtration efficiency.    

    Signs: Swelling of the feet/ankles, foamy urine, hypertension.

3. The Eyes (Diabetic Retinopathy)

    Effects:  Blurred vision, floaters, and blindness in severe cases due to damage of the retinal blood vessels. Increased risk of cataracts and glaucoma.

 Mechanism: High glucose compromises capillary walls, leading to leakage, microaneurysms, and growth of abnormal vessels.

 Stages: Non-proliferative (early) and proliferative (advanced, with new weak blood vessels).

4. The Nervous System (Diabetic Neuropathy)

 Peripheral neuropathy: Numbness, tingling, or burning in hands and feet.

   Autonomic neuropathy: Impacts digestion, heart rate, bladder control, and sexual function.

   Stages: Damage to nerve fibers, reduced nerve blood supply due to chronic hyperglycemia.

   Complication: Reduced sensation raises injury risk, resulting in diabetic foot ulcers.

5. The Skin

     Effects   Greater risk of bacterial and fungal infection.

    Impaired wound healing from decreased blood flow and nerve damage.

   Diabetic dermopathy (flat, light brown, scaly patches), necrobiosis lipoidica, and other skin diseases.

6. The Digestive System

    Effects:

    Gastroparesis: Slowed stomach emptying with bloating, nausea, and impaired glucose control. Constipation or diarrhea caused by autonomic neuropathy.

   Mechanism: Damage to nerves retards muscle contractions in the gut.

7. The Immune System

    Effects:  Impaired immune response, leading to more frequent infections that are more difficult to treat.

    Risk of gum inflammation (periodontitis) and urinary tract infections.

   Mechanism: Hyperglycemia blunts white blood cell function, retarding clearance of pathogens.

8. The Reproductive System

      Effects in Men:

     Erectile dysfunction secondary to nerve and blood vessel damage.

      Effects in Women:

    Risk of vaginal infections, urinary tract infections, and decreased fertility.

  Mechanism: Hormonal changes and vascular impairment decrease sexual function and reproductive health.

Long-Term Prognosis

Left untreated, diabetes shortens life expectancy and immensely diminishes quality of life. Yet, with timely diagnosis, lifestyle modifications, blood sugar management, and regular follow-up with a doctor, complications are often delayed or avoided.

Prevention of Diabetic Organ Damage

  Keep HbA1c levels below 7% (according to doctor's advice).

   Watch blood pressure and cholesterol.

    Eat a balanced diet and maintain a healthy weight.

    Exercise regularly, waking min 5000 steps daily.

    Get annual screenings for eyes, kidneys, and feet.

     Avoid smoking, oily, spicy, and fried food, limit alcohol.

    If you have diabetes, it is important to stop smoking, because both smoking and diabetes narrow blood vessels

 Conclusion

Diabetes is more than a "sugar issue." It is an organ disease that can quietly harm major organs over the course of many years. Knowledge about these consequences can empower people to be proactive about the disease and safeguard their own long-term well-being.