Diabetic nephropathy is damage to the small vessels in the kidneys that help them function properly.

Kidneys are vital organs responsible for filtering the blood. When they are unable to perform this function effectively, certain substances that should be filtered out may remain in the bloodstream, while others that need to be excreted may accumulate. These substances can become toxic if they build up in excessive amounts, potentially leading to chronic kidney failure over time.

Diabetes can lead to cardiovascular complications by affecting the large blood vessels, such as those in the neck, legs, and heart, a condition known as "macroangiopathy". This type of vascular damage is 2 to 4 times more common in people with diabetes than in the general population.

Atheromatous plaques, or fatty deposits, can form inside blood vessels. Over time, these plaques harden and become fibrous and calcified, a process known as atherosclerosis.
As the plaques thicken, they narrow the artery's diameter (stenosis), gradually restricting blood flow to organs, depriving them of oxygen. In severe cases, these plaques can completely block the artery.
When the plaques are unstable, they may rupture, leading to the formation of blood clots (thrombosis). These clots can suddenly block the artery, and elevated blood sugar levels promote clot formation.
These blockages can most often affect:

• * Coronary arteries: Coronary thrombosis refers to the formation of a clot in the arteries that supply blood to the heart. This can result in a myocardial infarction (heart attack),
• * Carotid arteries (in the neck): A clot or blockage in these arteries can lead to a cerebrovascular accident (CVA), commonly known as a stroke,
• *Arteries of the lower limbs: Damage to these arteries can lead to obliterative arteriopathy of the lower limbs, also known as peripheral artery disease (PAD).

Diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage) is an often silent pathology. It is one of the most frequent chronic complications of diabetes.

Hyperglycemia triggers a cascade of chemical changes in the body that can eventually lead to nerve damage. This damage, known as diabetic neuropathy, typically affects the peripheral nerves, particularly in the feet and legs. Many sufferers experience sensory disturbances, mainly in the feet and sometimes the calves, along with severe, often disabling pain such as burning sensations, tingling, and hyperesthesia—an abnormal and heightened sensitivity to light touch.

These pains are often worse at night, with even the contact of bed sheets on the feet becoming excruciating and disrupting sleep. They are usually accompanied by a loss of sensation.

The retina is a thin membrane, essential for vision, that covers the back of the eye.

Diabetic retinopathy is damage to the small vessels of the retina, developing silently and gradually leading to sight loss.

Excess sugar in the blood weakens capillary walls, causing them to leak. As a result, retinal vessels rupture and burst.

Fundus examination helps diagnose diabetic retinopathy