Diabetes Complications: Stroke, Kidney Disease, Nerve Pain, and More

Preventing Diabetes Complications

There are many things you can do to prevent the development and progression of diabetes complications. After reading about the following diabetes complications, talk to your doctor about your health risk for these problems and some ways they can be prevented.

Heart Disease and Diabetes

At every visit, your health care provider will check your blood pressure. Your blood cholesterol level and triglycerides should be checked at your first visit and then at least annually -- and more often until target levels are achieved. An EKG should also be obtained as part of a complete medical record. Tell your doctor any personal risk factors you have for heart disease and work out a prevention plan that includes weight loss, regular exercise, stress management, as well as keeping your blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides at normal levels.

Stroke and Diabetes

Knowing the warning signs and risks of stroke can help prevent this serious problem from happening to you. If you have any signs and symptoms of stroke -- including sudden weakness on one side of the face or body; numbness in the face, arm, leg; difficulty speaking; trouble seeing with both eyes; or dizziness -- see a doctor immediately. If you have high blood pressure, treating it effectively reduces both your risk of having and dying from a stroke. If you smoke -- quit; smoking cessation will also decrease the risk of stroke. Abnormally high cholesterol levels also increase your risk of stroke. Your diet, activity level, and medications can reduce your cholesterol level and reduce your risk of stroke.

For more detail, see WebMD's article Stroke and Diabetes.

Kidney Disease (Nephropathy) and Diabetes

After an initial negative screening test, urine testing should be performed yearly to look for kidney damage in those with diabetes. When you are first diagnosed with diabetes, a creatinine blood test (kidney function test) should also be done. Your health care provider will also check your blood pressure regularly since control of high blood pressure is essential in preventing and slowing kidney disease. Blood pressure should be less than 130/80. Persistent leg or feet swelling may be a symptom of kidney disease and should be reported to your health care provider.

For more detail, see WebMD's article Diabetic Nephropathy.

Diabetic Neuropathy

Numbness, burning, or pain in your feet or hands should be reported to your health care provider at your regular visits as they can be signs of diabetic neuropathy -- nerve damage in people with diabetes. You should check your feet daily for signs of infection such as redness or sores. If you notice any of these symptoms before your scheduled visit, notify your health care provider immediately. During your routine visits talk to your doctor about preventing and treating calluses, cracks, or skin breakdown.

For more detail, see WebMD's article Diabetic Neuropathy.

Answer:

Your level is currently NormalHigh (hyperglycemia).Low (hypoglycemia).

If the level is below 70 and you are experiencing symptoms such as shaking, sweating or difficulty thinking, you will need to raise the number immediately. A quick solution is to eat a few pieces of hard candy or 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey. Recheck your numbers again in 15 minutes to see if the number has gone up. If not, repeat the steps above or call your doctor.

People who experience hypoglycemia several times in a week should call their health care provider. It's important to monitor your levels each day so you can make sure your numbers are within the range. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.

Your blood sugar level is slightly high. You should call your health care provider and ask if laboratory tests to check for diabetes are needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.

Congratulations on taking steps to manage your health.

However, it's important to continue to track your numbers so that you can make lifestyle changes if needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.

Your level is currently normal. However, if you are concerned about diabetes speak with your physician. There may be other risk factors that increase your risk for diabetes.

Your level is high if this reading was taken before eating. Aim for 70-130 before meals and less than 180 two hours after meals.

Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.

One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.

Your blood sugar level may be high, depending on when you last ate. If you have not eaten for at least 8 hours, your blood sugar should be less than 100. If you've eaten within the last 2 hours, your blood sugar should be less than 140. You should call your health care provider and ask if you need laboratory tests to check for diabetes. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.

Blood sugars consistently above 180 warrant prompt medical attention.

Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.

One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.

Your blood sugar level is high. You should call your health care provider and ask if laboratory tests to check for diabetes are needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.

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