In the previous article titled “The Three Keys to Diabetes Control” we have discussed the three critical elements to keep under control in order to avoid diabetes complications. Included are: 1) blood sugar, 2) blood cholesterol and 3) blood pressure.
What happens when the levels for these three crucial factors remain consistently high? They can start damaging your blood vessels, nervous system and vital internal organs. Diabetes complications are divided into two main categories:
- Complications to the small blood vessels and nervous system can affect your eyes, kidneys and feet. These complications are the leading causes of blindness, leg/foot/toe amputations and dialysis. Avoid these complications by keeping your blood sugar and blood pressure under control.
- Complications to your large vessels can cause heart attacks and strokes. There are more than 75% of people with diabetes who perish due to heart disease. You can help prevent these complications from happening by keeping your blood pressure and cholesterol under control.
You should have a better idea of why it is important to keep your diabetes under control. Many people with diabetes and other chronic diseases have give up before even trying to control their disease. A majority of people believe in the following myths:
- “I will get all of the horrible diabetes complications no matter what I do because I watched my neighbor suffer from them.”
- “My mom had diabetes, suffered a heart attack and lost her eye sight.”
These complications do not have to be the natural evolutions of diabetes. You can be hopeful that they will not happen to you if you take action and make positive lifestyle choices.
Small Action of the Week:
Check your feet daily for any cracks or blisters and report them to your doctor immediately. Schedule an eye exam and a dental check up twice a year. Pharmacist George Tohme author of “Lifestyle Makeover for Diabetics and Pre-Diabetics” www.LifestyleMakeoverEbook.com.
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