Good morning, this is your Wellness Wake Up Call with University of Illinois Extension.
Did you know that high blood sugar can damage nearly every system in the body? Let’s dive into what’s really at stake.
1. Heart and Blood Vessels
- Over time, high blood sugar will damage blood vessels.
- This raises the risk for heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, and poor circulation in the legs and feet.
- Think of sugar like “rust” in pipes — it weakens the system and makes clogs more likely.
2. Kidneys
- The kidneys act like filters, cleaning waste from the blood.
- Too much sugar can damage these filters, causing protein to leak into urine.
- Over years, this can lead to kidney disease and even dialysis.
3. Nerves
- Extra sugar harms the tiny blood vessels that feed nerves.
- This can cause numbness, tingling, or burning in the hands and feet (called neuropathy).
4. Eyes
- The eyes are full of tiny, delicate blood vessels.
- High sugar can break down these vessels, leading to blurry vision, retinopathy, and sometimes blindness.
- People with diabetes are also more likely to get cataracts and glaucoma.
5. Feet and Wounds
- With poor circulation and nerve damage, people may not feel cuts or sores on their feet.
- Because high sugar slows healing, small wounds can turn into serious infections.
- This is why regular foot checks are so important.
The good news: many complications can be prevented or delayed. This week, speak to your health care provider about your A1C and any additional tests or exams you may need.
Thank you for listening! I hope you have a happy and healthy day ahead. This has been Kristin Bogdonas, nutrition and wellness educator with University of Illinois Extension.
