Hi today we are going to discuss about some of the complications that a
diabetic may face in his life.
But you may wonder why I am discussing it. Simply reason being so that
you can avoid them in future.
So lets start now :-
Diabetes is a condition that
generally requires some significant management — whether it’s checking your
blood sugar or keeping up with doctor’s appointments.
On top of managing the condition
itself, you also have to contend with the risk of complications related to diabetes.
For example, living with diabetes means you’re at increased risk of
complications such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and foot problems.
Good self-care is key to managing the
condition effectively and reducing your risk of complications. Here are six
common complications of type 2 diabetes and steps you can take to lower your
risk.
People with diabetes are at increased risk of heart
disease. In general, heart disease is the leading cause of death Trusted
Source in the United States, but people who live with diabetes are at even greater risk than people
who don’t have the condition.
Paying attention to the main risk
factors for heart disease, and addressing them, may help decrease the risk. The
CDC reports that the main risk factors include:
- high blood pressure
- high cholesterol
- physical inactivity
- not eating a healthy diet
- smoking
- being overweight or obese
- drinking too much alcohol
If left unchecked, these risk factors
can greatly increase your chance of experiencing heart disease. The best way to
reduce your risk is to set personal health goals and achieve them, such as
exercising regularly and eating a well-balanced, healthy diet.
Medication can be used to treat
conditions like high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Your doctor can
discuss these options with you.
People with diabetes are 1.5 times more
likely to have a stroke than people who don’t have the condition. If you’re
living with diabetes, you can familiarize yourself with the warning signs of a
stroke. These include:
- numbness on one side of your
body
- dizziness
- confusion
- headaches
- difficulty speaking
- vision problems
If you experience any of these
symptoms, contact your doctor immediately. The sooner a stroke is detected and
treated, the less damage it may do to your brain.
Working with your doctor on an
effective treatment plan for diabetes can help lower your risk of stroke.
Lifestyle habits such as exercising regularly and eating healthfully can also
make a difference.
Kidney disease is another
complication that can affect people with diabetes. This is because of the
connection between blood sugar, also called blood glucose, and the kidneys.
When blood glucose levels are too high, the kidneys struggle to filter blood
and the blood vessels within the kidneys are damaged.
Symptoms of kidney disease include
fluid buildup, weakness, nausea, loss of sleep, and trouble concentrating.
These symptoms often don’t occur until kidney function is significantly
impaired, which makes kidney disease difficult to detect.
Managing your blood sugar levels is a
key part of lowering your risk of kidney disease. High blood pressure also
increases the risk of kidney problems. If you have high blood pressure, your
doctor can talk to you about options to lower it. It’s also important that you
see your doctor to get tested for kidney-related problems on a regular basis.
According to the ADA, 2 out of 3 people
with type 2 diabetes report either having high blood pressure or taking
medication to lower it. If left untreated, high blood pressure increases the
risk of heart attack, stroke, vision problems, and kidney disease.
Seeing your doctor regularly can help
you stay on top of both managing type 2 diabetes and monitoring your blood
pressure. Your blood pressure should be checked during every healthcare visit.
You can take steps to lower your blood pressure by maintaining a healthy weight
or losing weight if needed.
In general, healthy lifestyle habits
can help lower blood pressure. Try to eat a well-balanced diet, exercise
regularly, and take time to relax. It’s also helpful to include whole grains in
your meals, follow a low-sodium diet, and avoid tobacco and alcohol.
People with diabetes have a higher
risk of developing eye problems like glaucoma and cataracts. Another
complication that can affect the eyes is called retinopathy. This condition
occurs when high levels of sugar in the blood cause damage to the retina’s
blood vessels. If left untreated, retinopathy in its most severe form can cause
complete loss of vision.
New treatment options for retinopathy
can prevent blindness in most cases, but it’s better to take steps to prevent
the condition altogether. Working with your doctor to monitor and manage your
blood sugar levels can lower your risk for this condition.
Diabetes can increase your risk of a
number of complications that affect the feet. Most diabetes-related foot issues
are caused by nerve damage, sometimes referred to as neuropathy.
Neuropathy causes unpleasant
sensations in the feet, such as tingling, burning, and stinging. Neuropathy can
also decrease your ability to feel sensations like pain, heat, and cold. In
turn, this raises a person’s risk of injuries that can lead to infection. In advanced
cases, neuropathy may change the shape of the feet and toes, requiring special
shoes or insoles.
If you’re experiencing any sensations
that could be neuropathy, let your doctor know right away. Addressing
neuropathy early can help prevent further complications later on.
Keeping your blood sugar levels in a
healthy range can reduce your risk of neuropathy. It may also help to exercise
regularly and wear comfortable shoes. If you’re a smoker, consider quitting as
soon as possible, and ask your doctor about smoking cessation therapies,
medications, and programs that can help.
So manage your blood sugar to avoid all these complication.
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