Estimated reading time: 9 minutes
Medically reviewed and verified by Kate Burke, MD, MHA
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a condition where the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Without insulin, blood sugar levels can get very high. Over time, high blood sugar can damage various organs in the body. Understanding the damage T1D can cause, and steps you can take to reduce the effects, is the best way to manage your health! Here is an overview of how type 1 diabetes (T1D) affects organs in the circulatory system, nervous system, urinary system, and integumentary system from PatientsLikeMe.
Click here to learn more about Type 1 Diabetes.
Circulatory System
The circulatory system is the body's transportation network which includes the heart, blood, and blood vessels (arteries, veins, and capillaries). The heart acts as a pump, pushing blood through the vessels. Blood carries oxygen and nutrients to all parts of the body and removes waste products like carbon dioxide.
Here's how it works:
- Heart: The heart has four chambers. It pumps oxygen-rich blood from the lungs to the rest of the body and sends oxygen-poor blood back to the lungs to get more oxygen.
- Arteries and Veins: Arteries carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart to the body. Veins bring oxygen-poor blood back to the lungs to get more oxygen.
- Capillaries: These tiny blood vessels connect arteries and veins. They help exchange oxygen, nutrients, and waste between blood and tissues.
The circulatory system keeps your body's cells healthy by providing them with what they need to function properly and taking away what they don't need.
Heart and Blood Vessels
People with type 1 diabetes are at a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. It continues to be the leading cause of death among people with T1D. Over time, high blood sugar can damage blood vessels and nerves essential to circulation and heart health. It also decreases the elasticity of blood vessels and causes them to narrow. This reduces how much blood and oxygen your body is receiving.
Furthermore, high blood pressure and cholesterol are more common in people with diabetes. These also increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. What steps can you take to reduce the risk of circulatory problems?
- Manage blood sugar
- Quit smoking
- Use blood pressure medications
- Exercise regularly
- Eat a healthy diet
Urinary System
The urinary system helps your body get rid of waste and extra fluids. It includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.
Here's how it works:
- Kidneys: These are two bean-shaped organs that filter your blood. They remove waste products and extra water, creating urine.
- Ureters: These are thin tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder.
- Bladder: This is a sac-like organ that stores urine until you're ready to go to the bathroom.
- Urethra: This is the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of your body.
The urinary system helps keep your body clean and balanced by getting rid of what you don't need.
Kidneys
Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage vessels in the kidneys. When these are impaired, the kidneys can have a hard time properly filtering waste out of the blood. It can also damage nerves in your body, which may lead to difficulty emptying your bladder. This pressure can injure the kidneys. Diabetic nephropathy is a kidney disease that affects people with diabetes. It is a form of chronic kidney disease, and can lead to kidney failure. Getting this condition under control is important to long term health.
A study from 2016 found that between 20-40% of people with diabetes develop some kind of kidney disease. What steps can you take to mitigate this risk?
- Control high blood pressure
- Lower blood sugar levels
- Treat high cholesterol
Nervous System
The nervous system controls everything you do including moving, thinking, and feeling. It includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.
Here's how it works:
- Brain: This is the control center of your body. It sends and receives messages to and from all parts of your body.
- Spinal Cord: This is a long bundle of nerves running from your brain down your back. It acts like a highway, sending messages between your brain and the rest of your body.
- Nerves: These are thin fibers that branch out from your spinal cord to all parts of your body. They carry messages to and from your brain about what you see, hear, touch, taste, and smell, as well as how you move and feel.
The nervous system helps you respond to the world around you, making sure your body works smoothly and efficiently.
Eyes
Diabetes increases the risk of developing a number of eye problems. High blood pressure causes damage to blood vessels in the eyes over time. There are a few parts of the eye, but the one to be aware of is the center of the retina called the macula. This is responsible for the clarity of our vision. When blood vessels are damaged and leak, they can cause swelling in the macula and lead to vision loss. T1D can also damage nerves in the eyes.
There are two common types of eye disease to be aware of. Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most common complications of T1D. It is a progressive condition caused by excess blood vessel growth, and over time can lead to permanent vision loss. Diabetic macular edema is the buildup of fluid at the back of the eye. This causes swelling and a drop in vision. Cataracts and glaucoma can also occur. Here is what you can do to prevent complications.
- Keep blood sugar in a healthy range
- Schedule annual eye exams
- Manage blood pressure and cholesterol
- Consult with your doctor if any eye issues arise
Nerves
Neuropathy, or nerve damage, is a common complication of type 1 diabetes. Also known as diabetic neuropathy, serious problems all across the body can arise if untreated. Nerves carry messages between the brain and the rest of our body. Over time high blood sugar levels damage the small blood vessels that supply nerves with nutrients. As a result, they get damaged and can even die off completely.
There are four types of diabetic neuropathy. Peripheral, sensory, autonomic and motor. Each of them affects the body in different ways, and have their own treatment course. Neuropathy cannot be reversed, so it is important to keep an eye out for symptoms and work closely with your doctor to make sure you do not have significant long-term damage. Try to:
- Keep blood sugar levels within a target range
- Manage cholesterol and blood pressure
- Take medications as directed to treat symptoms
Brain
This may sound like a broken record, but high blood sugar levels can affect cognition as well. Research has shown that diabetes can change the structure of your brain. People with the condition are three times more likely to develop dementia than those without. Memory and attention span are frequently affected by T1D. It does not seem to impact learning and thinking skills at first, but over time can cause cognitive decline.
Grey matter is a type of tissue found in your brain and spinal cord. It has high amounts of nerves and nerve endings in it. About 40% of your brain is grey matter. Type 1 diabetes lowers the amount of grey matter in your brain, which affects brain and nerve function. Diabetes can also damage small blood vessels in the brain, which can lead to a stroke or tissue death. So, what can you do to reduce the impact of T1D on your brain?
- Manage your blood sugar levels
- Eat a healthy diet
- Follow your doctor's instructions closely
Integumentary System
The integumentary system is your body's outer layer, including your skin, hair, and nails. It protects your body and helps keep everything inside safe.
Here's how it works:
- Skin: This is the largest organ in your body. It acts as a barrier, protecting you from germs, injuries, and harmful sunlight. It also helps regulate your body temperature by sweating and provides a sense of touch.
- Hair: Hair grows from your skin and helps protect your scalp from the sun and keep you warm.
- Nails: Nails protect the tips of your fingers and toes, as well as help you pick up small objects.
The integumentary system keeps your body safe and helps you interact with the world around you.
Skin
The skin is the largest organ in the human body. There are also a number of different skin conditions that people with T1D can develop. A skin rash can be the first sign of high blood sugar, affecting an estimated 1 in 3 people with diabetes. They usually go away once you get blood sugar levels under control. Discolored skin or itchy rings or arcs on the extremities can also form. People with T1D are more prone to a condition called vitiligo, where the skin loses its pigment.
Other potential skin problems include skin tags, eruptive xanthomatosis, lichen planus, or red itchy bumps. Most of these are treatable with topical steroids or creams. Here are the best things you can do to prevent diabetes-related skin problems.
- Check your skin daily for rashes or sores
- Stay hydrated
- Use warm water and moisturizing soap while bathing
- Treat cuts and wounds quickly with soap and water
Type 1 diabetes can affect major organs, including the heart, kidneys, eyes, nerves, skin, and brain, due to high blood sugar levels. Proper management of blood sugar, regular medical check-ups, and a healthy lifestyle are critical to minimizing the risk of complications. You can protect your organs from damage!
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