Table: Complications of Diabetes - Merck Manuals Consumer Version

Complications of Diabetes

Tissue or Organ Affected	Effects	Complications
Blood vessels	Fatty material ( atherosclerotic plaque Atherosclerosis ) builds up and blocks large or medium-sized arteries in the heart, brain, legs, and penis. The walls of small blood vessels are damaged so that the vessels do not transfer oxygen to tissues normally, and the vessels may leak.	Poor circulation causes wounds to heal poorly and can lead to heart attacks Acute Coronary Syndromes (Heart Attack; Myocardial Infarction; Unstable Angina) , strokes Overview of Stroke , gangrene Gas Gangrene of the feet and hands, erectile dysfunction Erectile Dysfunction (ED) , and infections.
Eyes	The small blood vessels of the retina are damaged, leading to formation of new fragile blood vessels that tend to bleed.	Vision decreases, and ultimately, blindness occurs.
Kidneys	Blood vessels in the kidneys thicken. Protein leaks into urine. Blood is not filtered normally.	The kidneys malfunction, and ultimately, chronic kidney disease Chronic Kidney Disease occurs.
Nerves	Nerves are damaged because glucose is not used normally and because the blood supply is inadequate.	Legs suddenly or gradually weaken. People have reduced sensation, tingling, and pain in their hands and feet.
Autonomic nervous system Overview of the Autonomic Nervous System	The nerves that control internal body processes such as blood pressure and digestion are damaged.	Swings in blood pressure occur (especially when the person stands). Swallowing becomes difficult. Digestive function is altered, and sometimes nausea or bouts of diarrhea occur. Erectile dysfunction Erectile Dysfunction (ED) develops.
Skin	Blood flow to the skin is reduced, and sensation is decreased, resulting in repeated injury.	Sores and deep infections (diabetic ulcers) develop. Healing is poor.
Blood	White blood cell function is impaired.	People become more susceptible to infections, especially of the urinary tract Overview of Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) and skin.
Connective tissue	Glucose is not used normally, causing tissues to thicken or contract.	Carpal tunnel syndrome Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Dupuytren contracture Dupuytren Contracture develop.