Diabetes & Eye Health: When Diabetes Starts Affecting Vision
Diabetes can damage the tiny blood vessels that supply the eyes, potentially leading to diabetic retinopathy. The damage can begin before anyone notices a change in their vision.
The Small Circles Journal.
Short, sourced articles written and researched by our volunteers, translating diabetes science into plain language. Every piece is checked against credible sources like the CDC, the ADA, and the NIH before it's published.
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Apply to write for the JournalDiabetes & Nerve Health: When Diabetes Starts Affecting the Nervous System
Blood sugar isn't the only thing diabetes touches. Over time, it can also affect the nervous system, sometimes leading to diabetic neuropathy, numbness, tingling, or ongoing nerve pain.
Diabetes & Kidney Health: When Diabetes Starts Affecting the Kidneys
Over time, high blood glucose can damage the small blood vessels inside the kidneys, potentially leading to diabetic kidney disease, often with no noticeable symptoms at first.
Diabetes & The Heart: How Blood Sugar Can Affect Cardiovascular Health
People with diabetes are about twice as likely to have heart disease or a stroke as people without diabetes. Taking care of diabetes also means taking care of the heart.
Diabetes & Sleep: How Blood Sugar and Sleep Affect Each Other
Diabetes can make it harder to get restful sleep, while poor sleep can make blood glucose management more difficult. The two can affect each other in both directions.
Diabetes & Mental Health: How Diabetes Can Affect Emotional Well-Being
Managing diabetes every day can take an emotional toll. Stress, diabetes distress, depression, and anxiety can all affect diabetes care, which is why mental health belongs in it.
Diabetes & Skin Health: How Diabetes Can Affect the Skin
High blood glucose can dry out the skin and make some infections more likely, and certain skin conditions show up more often in people with diabetes. Some can even be an early sign of it.