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 <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







