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If a person is diagnosed with diabetes complications that go untreated, it can lead to serious and potentially life-threatening complications. Diabetes isn’t only a condition that affects the blood. Since the blood circulates throughout the body, it is also highly possible that it affects other parts of the body.Some complications are short-term and easy to treat, but diabetic prevention is the best way to prevent more long-term complications. Here are five long-term diabetes complications and how to prevent them.
Diabetic Retinopathy (Retina Damage) and Eye Damage
Diabetic Retinopathy (Retinopathy meaning disease of the retina) is a condition that develops in some people with diabetes due to damage to the tiny blood vessels in the eyes.Apart from Retinopathy, other eye conditions may develop, such as glaucoma caused by nerve damage in the eye and cataracts, wherein the eyes’ lenses become clouded.To prevent these diabetes complications, ensure regular eye check-ups or eye exams to detect early signs of eye damage.Diabetic Nephropathy (Kidney Disease)
Diabetic nephropathy, or Kidney disease, is a likely complication of Type 2 Diabetes. High blood sugar levels may cause the kidneys to fail or be unable to filter the blood properly.Diabetic Prevention: It is crucial to identify hereditary influences on kidney complications and have regular check-ups, especially when checking protein levels in the urine, which may detect early signs of kidney complications.Diabetic Neuropathy (Nerve Damage)
Diabetic Neuropathy, also known as Nerve Damage caused by diabetes, is a condition that affects the nerves everywhere in the body because the blood vessels that provide energy to these nerves have a high sugar concentration.There are different types of diabetic Neuropathy, namely: peripheral, autonomic, proximal, and focal, depending on which part of the body is affected. Peripheral Neuropathy, which affects the limbs, can lead to amputation if left untreated.Stroke
Diabetes is also responsible for strokes. A stroke caused by diabetes is another form of diabetic Neuropathy. In this case, the brain is affected due to blood vessel damage.High sugar levels in the blood vessels may result in blood clots or fatty deposits. These clots can sometimes be located near the brain and inhibit oxygen from reaching the brain, causing a stroke.Foot Ulcers
Foot ulcers are another complication closely linked to diabetic Neuropathy, specifically peripheral Neuropathy. Nerves in the feet may not function well and cut off signals of tingling sensations or pain, affecting the body’s response to foot sores or infections. Because of this, the diseases have difficulty healing and can even go unnoticed until the condition is severe. Then, serious diabetes complications like gangrene can develop, and the foot can be at risk for amputation.To prevent this, make sure to include body check-ups along with your regular check-ups to ensure that your hands and feet are not sore.
Overall Diabetic Prevention of Diabetes Complications
Although each diabetes complications has specific prevention, the maintenance of type 2 Diabetes is the most important to avoid all these complications, including:- Monitoring and maintaining blood sugar levels
- Having a balanced diet
- Maintaining a healthy weight.
- Even though your schedule may be hectic, you can still feed your body adequately. Pack snacks and a nutritious lunch.
- Read the food label on packages and see if you are exceeding your daily limits.
- Limit your coffee intake.
- Have a bottle of water with you, and drink plenty of water.
- Quit smoking.
- Managing stress and energy levels Get enough sleep.
- Regular check-ups and insulin medications Visit your doctor regularly.
- Maintain healthy levels of cholesterol and blood pressure. High blood pressure can harm your blood vessels, much like diabetes can. Controlling high blood pressure and cholesterol can be greatly aided by eating a balanced diet low in fat, salt, and sugar, exercising frequently, and abstaining from excessive alcohol consumption.
- Avoid sugars and sweets (such as table sugars such as sucrose, glucose, fructose, maltose, soda, fruit drinks, candy, cake, and jellies).
