Avoiding health problems
If you’ve been told you have type 2 diabetes, you’re probably worried about what might happen to you. One thing that you should always keep in mind: it may be a serious disease, but millions of people with type 2 diabetes live long, healthy, and full lives.
You can, too.
Step 1: Take action
You’ll have to be your own personal caretaker. It starts with self-monitoring. Take control of your blood sugar level by:
Step 2: Get the BIG picture
A big part of managing your type 2 diabetes is staying informed.
Step 3: Problems you can try to avoid
When your blood sugar level is too high, the excess sugar can cause damage to different parts of your body. But if you work with your health professional to manage your type 2 diabetes, you may be able to decrease your risk for health problems such as:
Heart Disease
Stroke, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol are the most serious risks of type 2 diabetes. The heart helps pump blood and nutrients around the body. Heart disease occurs when the heart is not able to do its job well. Heart disease is a very serious problem. People with type 2 diabetes are 2 to 4 times more likely to get heart disease.
The good news is that there are things you can do to lower your risk of heart disease. Talk to your doctor about:
- Setting healthy lifestyle goals
- The importance of diet and exercise
- How to control your blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol
Kidney Disease
The kidneys are important because they help your body get rid of waste. Having type 2 diabetes can
damage the kidneys, leading to kidney disease and failure. This is why type 2 diabetes is the leading
cause of serious kidney disease. If you follow the tips below, you can lower your chances of kidney disease:
- Monitor your blood pressure. If your blood pressure is often above 130/80 mm Hg, let your doctor know. Keeping your blood pressure under control also helps prevent damage to your kidneys, eyes, heart, and blood vessels.
- Have your kidneys and blood tested every year. Doctors can test your blood and kidneys to find out how well your kidneys are working.
- Always tell your doctor right away if you have a bladder or kidney infection. Pain or burning when you urinate, pain in your back or on your side, constant urges to go to the bathroom, and fever or a shaky feeling are some of the symptoms of bladder or kidney infections.
Eye Damage
Eye damage and blindness occur in many people who have type 2 diabetes. Up to 24,000 people go
blind every year because of diabetes. To lower your risk of eye damage, it’s important to have your eyes checked regularly by an ophthalmologist. You should talk to your doctor about:
- Medicines and treatments available to you
- Changes you can make to your lifestyle
Foot Problems
Foot problems are common in people who have type 2 diabetes and can be very dangerous. Sometimes they can lead to amputation. By practicing good foot care and finding problems early, some foot problems can be avoided:
- Wash your feet every day with warm water and soap. Do not soak your feet, and make sure to use a soft towel to dry your feet.
- Check your legs, feet, and toes for cuts, blisters, redness, swelling, or other problems daily. Use a mirror or ask for help from someone else if you cannot see the bottoms of your feet. Tell your doctor about any problems.
- Wear shoes that are comfortable and allow your toes to move.
Depression
Living with type 2 diabetes is challenging, and some people may get depressed. Depression occurs when people feel sad for long periods of time. People with depression may feel hopeless and lonely. Studies have shown that people who have type 2 diabetes are more likely to be depressed than those who do not. The good news is that there are things you can do to help prevent depression:
- Talk to your doctor if you have been feeling very sad for several weeks.
- Do not stop taking your medicine without talking to your doctor.
- If your doctor refers you to a specialist, make sure to see the specialist.
- Ask for the support of your family and friends to help you get through tough times.
- If you think you have depression, do not wait to seek help. Counseling and, if needed, medicine can help you overcome depression. When you feel better, you may have an easier time controlling your blood sugar.
By taking charge of your type 2 diabetes, you’ll be taking control of your health. Talk to your health professional about other ways you can best manage your type 2 diabetes.
