Diabetes can affect your body in more ways than many people realize. Because it often causes significant microvascular disease, it can lead to a lot of problems in the hands ✋ in addition to the well-known complications involving the eyes 👁️ and feet 🦶. 👨‍⚕️ After performing hundreds of amputations in diabetic patients (mostly fingers, toes, and feet), here are a few things I wish more people knew: 🦠 1. Immune system dysfunction Elevated blood sugars and a high hemoglobin A1c can make your white blood cells less effective. This means your body has a harder time fighting infections. What starts as a small cut or wound can progress to severe infections or even bone infections (osteomyelitis), which may ultimately require amputation. 📍 2. Neuropathy Diabetes can cause permanent nerve damage, making it harder to feel cuts, blisters, or injuries on your hands and feet. Because these injuries may go unnoticed, they can become infected and, once again, potentially lead to amputation. ...