Diabetes care: 10 ways to avoid diabetes complications

Diabetes care is a lifelong responsibility. Consider 10 strategies to prevent diabetes complications.

By Mayo Clinic staff

Diabetes is a serious disease. Following your diabetes treatment plan
takes round-the-clock commitment. But your efforts are worthwhile.
Careful diabetes care can reduce your risk of serious — even
life-threatening — complications.

Here are 10 ways to take an active role in diabetes care and enjoy a healthier future.

1. Make a commitment to managing your diabetes.

Members of your diabetes care team — doctor, diabetes nurse educator
and dietitian, for example — will help you learn the basics of diabetes
care and offer support and encouragement along the way. But it’s up to
you to manage your condition. After all, no one has a greater stake in
your health than you.

Learn all you can about diabetes. Make healthy eating and physical
activity part of your daily routine. Maintain a healthy weight. Monitor
your blood sugar level, and follow your doctor’s instructions for
keeping your blood sugar level within your target range. Don’t be
afraid to ask your diabetes treatment team for help when you need it.

2. Schedule yearly physicals and regular eye exams.

Your regular diabetes checkups aren’t meant to replace yearly
physicals or routine eye exams. During the physical, your doctor will
look for any diabetes-related complications — including signs of kidney
damage, nerve damage and heart disease — as well as screen for other
medical problems. Your eye care specialist will check for signs of
retinal damage, cataracts and glaucoma.

3. Keep your vaccines up-to-date.

High blood sugar can weaken your immune system, which makes routine vaccines more important than ever. Ask your doctor about:

• Flu vaccine. A yearly flu vaccine can help you stay healthy during flu season, as well as prevent serious complications from the flu.
• Pneumonia vaccine. Sometimes
  the pneumonia vaccine is a one-shot deal. If you have diabetes
  complications or you’re age 65 or older, you may need a five-year
  booster shot.
• Other vaccines. Stay
  up-to-date with your tetanus shot and its 10-year boosters, and ask
  your doctor about the hepatitis B vaccine. Depending on the
  circumstances, your doctor may recommend other vaccines as well.

4. Take care of your teeth.

Diabetes may leave you prone to gum infections. Brush your teeth at
least twice a day, floss your teeth once a day, and schedule dental
exams at least twice a year. Consult your dentist right away if your
gums bleed or look red or swollen.

5. Pay attention to your feet.

High blood sugar can damage the nerves in your feet and reduce blood
flow to your feet. Left untreated, cuts and blisters can become serious
infections. To prevent foot problems:

• Wash your feet daily in lukewarm water.
• Dry your feet gently, especially between the toes.
• Moisturize your feet and ankles with lotion.
• Check your feet every day for blisters, cuts, sores, redness or swelling.
• Consult your doctor if you have a sore or other foot problem that doesn’t start to heal within a few days.

• 6. Keep your blood pressure and cholesterol under control.

  Like diabetes, high blood pressure can damage your blood vessels. High
  cholesterol is a concern, too, since the damage is often worse and more
  rapid when you have diabetes. When these conditions team up, they can
  lead to a heart attack, stroke or other life-threatening conditions.

  Eating healthy foods and exercising regularly can go a long way
  toward controlling high blood pressure and cholesterol. Sometimes
  medication is needed, too.

  7. Take a daily aspirin.

  Aspirin interferes with your blood’s ability to clot. Taking a daily
  aspirin can reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke — major
  concerns when you have diabetes. In fact, daily aspirin therapy is
  recommended for most people who have diabetes. Ask your doctor about
  daily aspirin therapy, including which strength of aspirin would be
  best.

  8. Don’t smoke.

  If you smoke or use other types of tobacco, ask your doctor to help
  you quit. Smoking increases your risk of various diabetes
  complications, including heart attack, stroke, nerve damage and kidney
  disease. In fact, smokers who have diabetes are three times more likely
  to die of cardiovascular disease than are nonsmokers who have diabetes,
  according to the American Diabetes Association. Talk to your doctor
  about ways to stop smoking or to stop using other types of tobacco.

  9. If you drink alcohol, do so responsibly.

  Alcohol can cause either high or low blood sugar, depending on how
  much you drink and if you eat at the same time. If you choose to drink,
  do so only in moderation and always with a meal. Remember to include
  the calories from any alcohol you drink in your daily calorie count.

  10. Take stress seriously.

  If you’re stressed, it’s easy to abandon your usual diabetes care
  routine. The hormones your body may produce in response to prolonged
  stress may prevent insulin from working properly, which only makes
  matters worse. To take control, set limits. Prioritize your tasks.
  Learn relaxation techniques. Get plenty of sleep.

  Above all, stay positive. Diabetes care is within your control. If
  you’re willing to do your part, diabetes won’t stand in the way of an
  active, healthy life.

Popularity: 1%