In addition to the day-to-day requirements of self-care, people with diabetes often live with the concern that they may develop the serious health complications that are associated with the condition. The primary areas of the body that can be affected include the eyes, nerves, kidneys, teeth and gums, limbs, skin, and the heart and cardiovascular system.
These diabetes health complications are generally the result of years of poorly controlled blood glucose. Blood vessels become damaged if blood glucose stays too high for too long, and results affect many different organs and systems.
Good blood glucose control can certainly help to prevent, delay, or lessen the impact of these diabetes complications. But even if you are managing your diabetes well, complications can appear. It is important to know what to look for. If serious diabetes complications do begin to appear, you want to get on top of these concerns quickly and effectively.
Some major types of long-term diabetes complications include microvascular complications, which is when small blood vessels become brittle and weak and the blood flow is restricted, which causes damage to tissues and organs. Macrovascular complications involve damage to arger blood vessels, and the primary results are heart and cardiovascular disease.
Ways to prevent or delay complications
The complications of diabetes can be minimized, controlled, or even prevented by improving your blood glucose control. Long-term studies have shown that maintaining near-normal blood glucose levels dramatically reduces the likelihood of developing those complications associated with high blood glucose.
The two best known of these studies are the Diabetes Control and Complications Study (DCCT) and the United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS). The first was conducted in North America, and explored people with Type 1. The second was conducted in Great Britain, and explored people with Type 2.
DCCT found that people with Type 1 who were able to keep their blood glucose level very close to a non-diabetic range were able to reduce significantly the onset of diabetes complications. UKPDS found that people with Type 2 who maintained good glucose control also greatly reduced the incidence of complications.
These two studies were of tremendous importance. Before them, many people believed that serious diabetes complications were actually unavoidable. Now we know that complications are not always inevitable. Rather, they can be brought on, or aggravated, by poor blood glucose control—and that glucose control can often be improved.
But even with excellent control, you may still experience the effects of diabetes complications at some time in your life. It’s essential that you catch them early and get treatment. Use your health care provider visits wisely and be sure to discuss any physical problems you are experiencing. Your symptoms may be a warning sign of a developing complication that could be stopped or controlled. And keep maintaining good glucose control, so you don’t aggravate any problems that may be developing.
Make sure your visits include the preventative checks for foot problems, an annual eye exam, and visits to the lab for blood draws. Use your medications as prescribed; if for any reason you feel you can’t take them as required, talk to your healthcare professional. It is your responsibility to make sure you understand your care and the steps to take in order to properly manage your diabetes.
It’s never too late to prevent the development of complications. Start by controlling your blood glucose today.
Want to read hundreds more FREE articles like this? Join today!
