The problem with diabetes is an inability to control one’s blood sugar, but this one thing can cause a lot of changes in the body. If you need inspiration to help stay on top of your diabetes self-care, check out how these five ways the disease can change your body.

#1 Dry, Cracked Skin

Those with diabetes often develop problems with dry skin. It becomes harder to stay hydrated, and the skin may feel tight and look flaky. If your blood sugar is elevated, the body will work to flush some of that out by making you urinate more often. This means less fluids are available for your skin. You may also start to see patches of darkened skin and more frequent fungal infections.

#2 Loss Of Vision

Chronically high blood sugar can cause the blood vessels in the eye to swell and leak, a condition called retinal neuropathy. One of the early signs is an increased number of ‘floaters’ in your vision. Thankfully, this condition can be treated if caught early enough. However, those who can’t keep their sugars under control remain at risk of losing their sight.

#3 Kidney Damage

Untreated diabetes can pave the way to kidney problems, affecting how they filter waste from the blood. Over time, these organs can even go into failure, requiring a kidney transplant for patients to survive.

#4 Problems Digesting

Elevated glucose levels can damage the nerves that help the organs in your digestive tract to operate. You may have slow emptying of the stomach, diarrhea, constipation, and nausea. However, stomach upset can be due to the medication you’re taking. Some types of Type II Diabetes medications can cause digestive issues, but these symptoms should ease after your body gets used to them.

#5 Loss Of Limbs

This is a pretty extreme complication that occurs after years of chronically high blood sugar levels that affects the blood vessels, reducing the flow of blood to your extremities. This can mean that a small cut or infection in the foot heals very slowly. Without professional attention, an infection could get bad enough to require amputation.