By Teresa Caldwell Board

Eyes. Heart. Stomach. Kidneys. Nerves. While diabetes is a disease of the pancreas, it can impact the entire body.

In type 2 diabetes mellitus, the most common form, the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin and the body’s cells don’t respond well to it. The body needs insulin to take sugar from the blood into the cells.

When diabetes is not diagnosed or not controlled, chronic high blood sugar can damage blood vessels, explains UAB endocrinologist Carlos Arguello, M.D.

Diabetes can damage the large blood vessels that supply the brain, heart and lower extremities. It also can hurt small blood vessels—no thicker than a hair—that supply the eyes, kidneys and nerves.

“Blood sugar control is the best way to prevent the complications of diabetes,” Dr. Arguello says. “Dietary changes and increased physical activity with the aim of losing weight are the cornerstones of both preventing and managing diabetes.”

For more information about the endocrinology services available at UAB or to schedule an appointment with a UAB physician, please call HealthFinder at (205) 934-9999 or 1-800-UAB-8816.

Brain. High blood sugar can hurt the large blood vessels that supply the brain, raising the risk of stroke.

Use your brain to help your body: UAB’s diabetes education classes can help you prevent complications. To register or for more information, call (205) 801-8711.

Eyes. When diabetes affects the small blood vessels in the eye, it can cause several eye problems. It may damage the retina of the eye, and it also increases the risk of glaucoma or cataracts. Diabetes is one of the leading causes of blindness in the U.S.

Get your eyes checked once a year to screen for potential complications.

Heart. Together, heart disease and stroke account for about 65 percent of deaths in people with diabetes, reports the American Diabetes Association.

“A person with type 2 diabetes has the same risk of heart attack as a person without diabetes who has already had a heart attack,” Dr. Arguello says.

In addition to controlling blood sugar, it’s important to treat other cardiovascular risk factors—such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol—and to quit smoking.

Hands. Peripheral neuropathy is damage to the nerves that control sensation in the extremities. Its symptoms are pain, numbness, tingling, burning or coldness in the hands and feet.

Give yourself a hand—pick up the phone and call your doctor if you’re due for a checkup. “Regular doctor’s visits help people manage their blood sugar and also screen for all the potential complications of diabetes,” Dr. Arguello says.

Stomach. Chronic high blood sugar can damage the nerves to the stomach, causing gastroparesis—delayed emptying of stomach contents. This can cause a range of symptoms, including bloating, an early feeling of fullness, heartburn, nausea and erratic blood glucose levels.

In general, food choices are important for people with diabetes. “Following a healthy diet helps people control blood sugar and avoid diabetes complications,” Dr. Arguello says. Consider working with a dietitian if you need help fine-tuning your meal plans.

Kidneys. Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure, accounting for nearly 45 percent of new cases, reports the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

Kidney damage can be detected early through a urine test to look for albumin, a blood protein. Controlling blood sugar and blood pressure can help prevent kidney damage. People with diabetes should keep their blood pressure below 130/80. See our story on page 5 for more information about UAB’s chronic kidney disease clinic.

Sexual organs. Damage to blood vessels and nerves can lead to sexual dysfunction in both men and women.

Legs. Peripheral vascular disease can result from a blockage in the arteries that feed the lower limbs.

“Peripheral vascular disease is usually manifested by pain in walking,” Dr. Arguello says. Just as a clogged heart artery can cause chest pain, a clogged artery to the legs can create leg pain (usually in the calf) during exertion.

Feet. Damage to nerves and blood vessels can lead to loss of sensation in the feet, as well as poor circulation. These factors increase the risk of foot ulcers and contribute to poor healing and infections, accounting for a high amputation rate in people with diabetes.

Check your feet daily for any injuries or blisters. Wear comfortable shoes and socks to protect your feet; don’t go barefoot. Protect your feet from heat and cold. Have your doctor check your feet at least once a year, or more often if you have neuropathy. 

For more information about diabetes, visit uabhealth.org/diabetes. For a free copy of UAB’s “Living Well with Diabetes” brochure, call (205) 996-6000.