Patients with diabetes are at high risk for complications involving damage to which body systems?

Patients with diabetes are particularly susceptible to complications that primarily affect the nerve and kidney systems. One of the major complications of diabetes is neuropathy, which can lead to significant nerve damage, causing symptoms such as pain, tingling, or loss of sensation, particularly in the extremities. This is largely due to prolonged high blood sugar levels, which can harm the nerves over time.

Additionally, diabetic nephropathy is a serious condition where the kidneys become damaged due to the chronic effects of diabetes. High blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels in the kidneys, impairing their ability to filter waste effectively from the blood. This can lead to kidney failure if not managed properly. Therefore, the association of diabetes with nerve and kidney damage underlines the importance of maintaining good blood sugar control and monitoring for related complications.