Diabetes Affects Many Body Systems

Your blood carries sugar, called glucose, to your body's cells. When blood sugar stays high, it can harm several areas. These include your heart, blood vessels, nerves, eyes and kidneys.

Blood vessels are the tubes that carry blood. Nerves carry messages between your brain and your body. Over years, high blood sugar can damage small blood vessels and nerves.

A standing person with four round badges around them: an eye, a heart, two kidneys and a foot with a nerve. One at a time, each badge lights up and a line points to that part of the body.

The effects of high blood sugar build slowly, over years. It is like rust on metal. It starts small and grows over time.

In the early stages, some people notice no symptoms. That is one reason regular checkups matter. A checkup can find changes you cannot feel yet.

How high your blood sugar goes can matter. How long it stays high can matter too.

Think of a sponge in dirty water. A quick dip picks up little, but a long soak picks up much more.

The longer it stays high, the more it can affect your body.

Key takeaways

• The heart, blood vessels, nerves, eyes and kidneys can all be affected.
• Effects often build slowly, and early changes may not be felt.
• How high blood sugar goes, and how long it stays high, both matter.

Try it

Check your calendar for the date of your last eye exam. If you cannot find one, ask your doctor or care team when your next eye exam is due.