Diabetes lasts a lifetime. Poor control Blood Glucose (sugar) damages the body. Good

control of Blood glucose can delay and even prevent diabetic complications.

What Problems Can Occur?

Some common diabetes problems are:

• Large blood vessel Disease leading to heart disease, stroke, or gangrene.

• Small blood Vessel Disease Leading to eye disease, kidney disease, or

gangrene.

• Nerve problems in the legs, arms, hands, or body organs.

• Gum disease.

Keeping your blood sugar within the target range acceptable to you and your Doctor will

help you to fight complications.

What Can You Do To Prevent Complications?

1. Follow a meal plan that controls calories, carbohydrates and fats. You may

also need to limit sodium to control blood pressure and limit protein to protect the

kidneys. If you have not seen a dietitian in the past 2 years, you need a meal plan

checkup. If you are overweight, a 10–20 pound weight loss can improve your blood

glucose and blood pressure.

2. Take your medicines as prescribed. Make sure your doctor knows all the

medicines you take. Carry all your medicines with you to each doctor visit. Discuss

them with your doctor. Also discuss over-the-counter drugs and herbs.

3. See your doctor at least twice a year. More frequent visits will be needed if you

have problems. You will also need regular checkups with the dentist. A yearly

checkup with a podiatrist (foot doctor) is smart.

4. Have a checkup with your eye doctor every 2 years if you are at low risk for

retinopathy (diabetic eye disease). If your at an increased risk for diabeteic

eye disease, have your eyes examined every year. Only a dilated eye exam can

reveal the changes associated with it. Treating retinopathy as early as possible

protects your eyesight.

5. Check your feet daily for any wounds, red spots, or other changes. If you

cannot examine your feet, have someone else do it or use a mirror. Diabetic nerve

damage may prevent you from feeling pain. If a foot wound is not treated, you may

get an infection and risk amputation. At each doctor visit take off your shoes and

socks so your feet can be examined (even if no one requests you to do so).

6. Don’t smoke. Smoking cuts off oxygen to the tissues and slows healing. It also

increases the risks for heart attack, stroke, and lung disease.

7. Check your blood glucose often. Blood glucose monitoring shows you how food,

medicine, exercise, and stress affect your blood sugar level. Keep good written

records and look for patterns. Your health care team can help you find ways to

minimize readings outside your target range.

8. Exercise with your doctor’s permission. If you have not been exercising, get a

physical before you start doing so. A physical exam will find any problems that may

prevent you from exercising safely. Regular exercise is great for weight and blood

glucose control. Risk for heart disease and stroke will decrease if you exercise.

9. Learn how to handle sick days. Fill a sick-day box with supplies you will need.

Know when to call for help and what information your health care team will need.

Plan to have someone help you at home if you need it. Learn what you should and

should not eat.

10. Learn how to manage stress. Deep breathing, exercise, talking to a friend,

massage, and reading a good book are good stress reducers.