What Happens When Diabetes is Uncontrolled?

Microvascular (Small Vessel)

-Retinopathy: Eye damage → blurred vision, blindness

-Nephropathy: Kidney damage → protein in urine, dialysis

-Neuropathy: Nerve damage → tingling, numbness, ulcers

Macrovascular (Large Vessel)

-Heart disease: Heart attack, angina

-Stroke: Sudden paralysis or speech loss

-Peripheral artery disease: Foot ulcers, gangrene

Timeline

-These start silently — by the time symptoms appear, damage may be advanced

-Screening and early control can delay/prevent complications

How to Prevent

-Maintain HbA1c<7%

-BP<130/80 mmHg

-Maintain low LDL

-Yearly eye, foot, kidney exams

Take-Home Messages:

Diabetes doesn’t hurt — but its complications do. Preventing them is in your hands, every

day.

References: ADA 2025, RSSDI 2024

1. Brain

-Stroke risk doubles in diabetics

-Memory loss, dementia risk increased

2. Eyes

-Diabetic retinopathy: leading cause of blindness

-Cataract and glaucoma risk higher

3. Heart

-Major cause of death in diabetics

-Heart attacks, heart failure, and silent heart disease common

4. Kidneys

-Diabetic nephropathy is India’s top cause of kidney failure

-Protein in urine is the earliest sign

5. Nerves

-Numbness, burning pain in feet (neuropathy)

-Digestive problems, sexual dysfunction (autonomic neuropathy)

6. Feet

-Minor cuts can become serious

-Ulcers and amputations occur if ignored

7. Skin

-More prone to infections, boils, and delayed wound healing

How to Prevent Complications

-Keep HbA1c &lt;7%

-Regular checkups (eye, urine, feet, BP, lipids)

-Quit smoking, control BP/cholesterol

-Daily foot inspection

Take-Home Messages:

Diabetes affects every organ — but with control and checkups, you can stay complication-

free for decades.

References: ADA 2025, RSSDI 2024, Indian Nephrology Society