Diabetics and those caring for diabetics know and understand the severity of this disease. When living with diabetes it is important to also understand the care needed to prevent any complications. Diabetes has the ability to wear down our bodies over time; this chronic illness requires constant awareness. Here are five ways to avoid complications with diabetes:
- Stay up to date with diabetes information. Become an expert of the topic, medications, interventions, symptoms, complications, and new research and treatment.
- Maintain blood pressure and cholesterol levels since both can aid in blood vessel deterioration. A healthy diet and exercise can help.
- Continue yearly physicals and eye exams. Your doctors will look for signs of diabetic complications such as kidney disease, nerve damage, retinal damage, and other problems to the eye and body caused by diabetes.
- Take care of your teeth and watch your feet. Diabetes can cause gum infections as well as infections to the feet. High blood sugar can damage nerves in the feet as well as reduce blood flow.
- Say no to smoking and stress. Both much easier said than done. Make sure your support group is on board. Your doctors should be able to advise you on ways to quit smoking. Try to involve yourself in a hobby or exercise that can relieve stress from your day to day life.
According to the American Diabetes Association, 25.8 million children and adults are diabetic. Diabetes can cause a number of complications including heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, blindness, nerve damage, and amputations. There is no reason to feel as if you suffer from diabetes when the chance to live with diabetes is possible. Keeping yourself up to date and having a constant awareness of this chronic illness is imperative.