Diabetes is a condition in which the level of sugar, also known as glucose, in your blood becomes too high.

Normally, your pancreas produces a hormone called insulin. Insulin helps move sugar from your bloodstream into your body’s cells, where it is used for energy.

But when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or cannot use it properly, sugar begins to build up in your blood.

There are different types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body attacks the cells that produce insulin. Type 2 diabetes happens when the body becomes resistant to insulin and may eventually produce too little.

Diabetes can develop gradually and some people may have no obvious symptoms at first. If left uncontrolled, diabetes can lead to wounds that refuse to heal, serious nerve damage, vision loss, and in severe cases, leg amputation.

The scary part? You may not notice the damage until serious complications develop.

Over time, high blood sugar can damage your blood vessels and nerves, affecting vital organs throughout your body.

When this damage builds up, the consequences can be serious:

1. HEART DISEASE: Diabetes increases your risk of heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.

2. STROKE: Damage to blood vessels can increase your risk of stroke.

3. KIDNEY DAMAGE: Persistently high blood sugar can gradually damage your kidneys.

4. NERVE DAMAGE AND FOOT COMPLICATIONS: Reduced sensation and poor circulation can make foot wounds harder to heal, increasing the risk of infection and, in severe cases, amputation.

5. VISION LOSS: Diabetes can damage the blood vessels in your eyes and threaten your sight.