Diabetes affects your entire
body and increases your risk for many serious health problems, but complications
are avoidable. You can prevent or delay complications. You can control your blood
sugar (glucose), eat healthy foods and be physically active. You also can get
screening tests to prevent or diagnose and manage other conditions. It is also important to work to
keep blood pressure and cholesterol within the range prescribed by your doctor.
Prevent or Delay Complications
Complications may be prevented
or delayed by managing diabetes and keeping blood sugar within the range
prescribed by your health care team. Consult your doctor for treatment if you
develop any of the following conditions:
Skin Conditions
People with diabetes tend to
get bacterial infections more easily that those without the disease. Common ones include
styes (infections in the glands of the eyelids), boils, infections in the hair
follicles, carbuncles and infections around the finger or toenails. Inflamed
tissues are usually hot, swollen, red and painful.
Some people with diabetes also are
troubled by fungal infections, most commonly candida albicans. This is a
yeast-like fungus that may cause an itchy red rash surrounded by tiny blisters
and scales in the warm, moist folds of the skin. Other fungal infections
include jock itch, athlete’s foot, ringworm and vaginal infections. Itching is
a frequent problem for people with diabetes, particularly in the lower
legs.
Eye Disease
You may have heard that
diabetes can cause damage to your eyes and cause poor vision or
blindness. But there is good news. You can prevent diabetic eye disease or keep
it from getting worse by managing diabetes. The most common eye problems
affecting people with diabetes are diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular
edema, cataracts and glaucoma.
Nerve Damage
Nerve damage from diabetes is
called diabetic neuropathy. Over time, high blood sugar levels
and high levels of fats (such as triglycerides) in the blood from diabetes can
damage your nerves. Symptoms depend on the type of diabetic neuropathy.
Different types of nerve damage cause symptoms that range from pain and
numbness in your feet to problems with the way your internal organs (such as
your heart and bladder) function.
Foot Problems
Foot problems are common in
people with diabetes and often cause concern. It’s possible to prevent diabetes-related
foot conditions by managing your blood sugar, washing and checking your feet
daily, and following up with your doctor if problems begin. Look for signs of cuts,
sores or red spots, swelling or blisters, ingrown toenails, corns or calluses,
plantar warts, athlete’s foot and warm spots.
Kidney Disease
Diabetes is the leading
cause of kidney disease. Diabetic kidney disease (nephropathy) damages cells and
blood vessels in the kidneys. It affects the kidneys’ ability to
filter out waste. Diabetic kidney disease happens slowly and silently. You
might not feel that anything is wrong until severe problems develop. You can do
a lot to prevent kidney problems. Get your blood and urine checked each year. Keep your blood sugar and blood pressure levels in a healthy range, as
prescribed by your doctor.
Pregnancy
If you have diabetes, the
changes you experience during pregnancy will affect your blood sugar levels. It may may require more effort to manage them. Checking your blood sugar levels regularly
is a key part of taking good care of yourself and your baby. Your doctor will
give you target blood sugar levels. This will help you decrease the
risk of birth defects, miscarriage and help your baby to have a
healthy weight at birth.
Some women can develop gestational diabetes. This doesn't mean you had diabetes before you conceived or that you will have
diabetes after you give birth. Doctors usually test for gestational diabetes between weeks 24 and 28 of pregnancy. It's important to follow your doctor's
advice regarding blood sugar levels during your pregnancy so you and your baby
are healthy.
Gum Disease and Other Dental
Problems
People with diabetes are more likely to have problems with their teeth
and gums if their blood sugar is not managed. Sore, swollen and red gums that bleed
when you brush your teeth are signs of a dental problem called gingivitis.
Another problem, called periodontitis, happens when your gums shrink or pull
away from your teeth. You can prevent these problems by keeping your blood
sugar levels as close to normal as possible. Brush your teeth at least twice
a day. Floss once a day. Keep dentures clean. See the dentist
twice a year for a dental examination and cleaning.
Heart Disease and Stroke
Having diabetes means that
you are more likely to develop heart disease. You also have a greater chance of a
heart attack or a stroke if your diabetes is not managed. People with diabetes are
more likely to have certain conditions, such as or high blood pressure or high cholesterol. These conditions can increase the chances of having heart disease or a stroke. You can protect your heart and health by managing your
blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol. If you smoke, you should quit.
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