Living with Diabetes

11/11/2022

Good habits are key to diabetes management

By: Yanick Ekortarh, M.D., Family Medicine, Laredo Physician Associates

If you have diabetes, you know that it can affect every area of life. People with diabetes must be vigilant about their health, to maintain good quality of life and prevent potential diabetes complications.

More than 37.3 million people in the United States have diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Because diabetes increases the risk of other serious, chronic conditions and terminal diseases, it’s critical to make a commitment to healthier habits to delay the onset of the long-term effects of diabetes and related diseases.

Common diabetic complications include:

• Kidney disease. Diabetes can damage the blood vessels in your kidneys, making it harder for them to filter waste. In 2018, 785,883 U.S. residents were diagnosed with kidney failure and diabetes is the most common cause. This is why some diabetics eventually need dialysis, or in severe cases, a kidney transplant.
• Cardiovascular disease. Diabetes increases your risk for heart disease and stroke, particularly if you smoke, have high blood pressure, are overweight or have a family history of heart disease. It’s not uncommon to have both high blood pressure and diabetes – which more than doubles the risk for cardiovascular disease, according to the American Heart Association. The risk of stroke is also two to four times higher among people with diabetes.
• Eye problems. Diabetes can damage the retina, causing fluid leakage and swelling in the eye that can lead to blurry vision and, in severe cases, blindness. In fact, diabetes is the number-one cause of blindness in adults ages 20 to 74.
• Nerve damage. About 50 percent of people with diabetes have nervous system damage. This can include impaired sensation or pain in the feet or hands, slowed digestion of food, carpal tunnel syndrome, erectile dysfunction, or other nerve problems. The loss of feeling in the legs and feet can be particularly dangerous, because this make it hard to tell if there is a foot sore or an injury. Sores can become infected – in some cases resulting in a foot or leg amputation. Good foot health is critical for diabetics.

People with diabetes are susceptible to a host of other health issues as well, including gum disease, pregnancy complications, and a weakened immune system, making them more susceptible to illnesses like pneumonia or the flu.

Your Diabetes Care

Diabetes is a complex condition to manage, so your doctor will probably involve other professionals in your care: a nutritionist or dietitian and other specialists such as an eye doctor, an endocrinologist (a doctor who specializes in hormonal disorders), a podiatrist (a foot doctor), a dentist, a nurse educator with a specialty in diabetes and possibly, an exercise trainer. If you’re a diabetic, you should see your doctor every four to six months (if your treatment involves oral medication or diet) – or every three to four months (if you’re receiving insulin shots). At each visit, your doctor will test your blood, check your blood pressure and your feet, and discuss your general well-being, including any recent illnesses or unusual symptoms.

Whether your diabetes diagnosis is recent or you have had diabetes for years, diabetes management begins with controlling your blood sugar. Keeping blood sugar near normal helps reduce risks for diabetes complications. A healthy diet, regular exercise, and weight maintenance are imperative. Regular checks of your blood sugar level – which show the effect of your diet, exercise and any prescribed medication – also provide an overview of how well you’re controlling your diabetes.

You should test your blood sugar regularly at home, and your doctor will check it during scheduled exams. Your doctor will provide guidance on how often and when to check your blood sugar level and will recommend a target level based on your health history and treatment plan. If you cannot control your blood sugar with diet and exercise alone, your doctor may prescribe medication or insulin injections.

To learn more, visit the Health Library at www.laredomedical.com where you can find an array of articles on diabetes. To find a provider, visit http://bit.ly/3zVBUy6.

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