How to prevent diabetes complications?

It is hard to predict whether you will have diabetes complications or not. However, we know that there are ways to lower the risk of diabetes-related complications, such as:

Make sure the A1C is lower than 7%.
Make sure your blood pressure is less than 140/80.
Make sure LDL, bad cholesterol is below 100 or below 70, if you have heart disease, your HDL level, good cholesterol is above 40 for men and 50 for women. Triglyceride levels should below 150.
Get your eye test done, at least once a year. This examination should be performed by an eye specialist, referred to as an ophthalmologist or optometrist.
Take an annual test to measure the amount of albumin in the urine (microalbuminuria test).
Visit your diabetes healthcare team regularly.
You should know your test results. Ask your doctor whether you should make any adjustments in your treatment plan (medicine dosage, diet, and exercising routine) to get better test results in the future.

What are other diabetes complications?

A constant high blood sugar level will damage the blood vessels and other parts of the body, including the eyes, heart, and kidney. High blood sugar level can also harm the nerves, causing numbness and tingling in the feet, it damages the blood vessels and nerves, which may hamper sexual performance and lead to other sexual problems for both men and women.

How to monitor blood sugar?

Monitoring blood sugar levels will give you and your doctor much information about your blood sugar levels. Two common ways to check your blood sugar are:

Daily check your blood sugar level using a home glucose monitoring kit, it gives you instant information about your daily glucose levels.
A1C or HB-A1C test, it is done by a doctor or at a laboratory, every 3-6 months.

It is important for you to know your test results. Work hard towards lowering or raising your blood levels as required to manage your diabetes more effectively. Your doctor and healthcare team will help you know your target levels and the perfect time to measure your glucose levels, including:

Before Meals / Before Sleeping / 2 Hours After meals

Glucose checking frequency depends on the type of medicines you take, results of daily tests, and the most recent A1C. Few people check their glucose levels several times a week, while others check it several times a day. Your doctor should help you decide on the monitoring method and a number of times.

Feet Care with Diabetes:

Examine your feet daily to make sure that there are no blisters or redness. Use a mirror to see the bottom of your feet clearly.
Don’t soak your feet. Instead, use lukewarm water and mild soap to clean the feet daily. Gently pat dry your feet, especially the area between the toes.
Don’t walk barefoot.
Wear shoes that fit correctly. Select thick socks that fit loosely.
Apply a moisturizing cream or lotion to your feet, but avoid the area between the toes.
Don’t clip the nails. Instead, trim or file your toenails and you can use the assistance of a podiatrist.
If you have poor blood circulation, damaged nerves, ingrown toenails, callus, or ulcers, you should see a podiatrist regularly.
If you have a wound or injury on your foot, don’t neglect it, immediately use lukewarm water and mild soap to wash it. Use a lotion or moisturizing cream on the wound and cover it with a fabric bandage. If the wound turns red, inflamed, or doesn’t heal, see a doctor immediately.

Treatment of peripheral neuropathy

The best way to treat peripheral neuropathy is through long-term control of your blood sugar level and your daily feet care regime. If peripheral neuropathy is combined with pain, there are various types of medicines and lotions to treat it, including pain relief medications and antidepressants or a combination of both. Some antidepressants work effectively with pain relief medications to relieve pain. Other medicines that were used in the treatment of epilepsy have proven to be effective in the treatment of neuropathic pain. Consult your doctor about the best treatment for your case.

Does diabetes affect vision?

Many people who have recently been diagnosed with diabetes suffer from temporary blurry or impaired vision. This is caused by the swelling or shrinking of the lens of the eye due to the constantly changing blood sugar levels. These symptoms will often disappear 4-6 months after treatment and blood sugar management. If these symptoms continue, you should consult a doctor or ophthalmologist to make sure that there are no other eye problems. Keep your blood sugar levels steady and regularly examine your eyes to prevent complications.