Type 2 Diabetes – Four Tips to Help Avoid Diabetes Complications

Complications that spring from Type 2 diabetes are almost always traceable to excessive levels of sugar in the blood for many years. Complications can arise if you permit your blood sugar to rise and remain high for years. High blood sugar over a long period slowly weakens certain parts of your body, such as the eyes, kidneys, and skin. High blood sugar gradually damages the blood vessels and the nervous system, affecting parts of the body such as the feet, and even affects sexual function.

Avoiding diabetes complications is really very important for the diabetic person. Once complications start to arise, it can be very difficult to treat or even reverse Type 2 diabetes. There are all kinds of complications that can come out, from vision problems… blindness, to kidney disease, to nerve damage and much more. Diabetics are prone to bacterial infections as well. That’s why it’s important to manage the risk factors on a daily basis so that you can avoid these complications in the future.

Just being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes doesn’t mean you have to live a life full of complications. Take the necessary steps so that you can avoid serious problems.

Here are some tips to get you started.

Monitor your blood sugar: One of the major ways a diabetic can go off track is by not monitoring their blood sugar on a regular basis. You should be checking your blood sugar levels at least twice a day, if not more. In fact, your doctor can tell you exactly how many times a day they want you to check your blood sugar and what ranges you should be in. If you let your blood sugar go for an extended period of time, you are risking complications such as high blood pressure and kidney disease.

Check your blood pressure and cholesterol levels at least annually: It’s very important to keep a close check on your cholesterol and blood pressure numbers because this is a common complication of diabetes. In fact, many people die from a stroke or heart attack simply because they were not maintaining a grasp on these important levels. High blood pressure also plays a role in accelerating kidney damage. So make sure you work closely with your doctor to have these measurements checked at least once or twice each year.

Sleep well: It is true Type 2 diabetes and sleep problems go hand in hand. Diabetes can cause sleep loss, and there’s evidence not sleeping well can increase the risk of a person even developing Type 2 diabetes. One reason it’s important you get good quality sleep is because you will eat more sugary food or other foods that can send your blood sugar levels soaring. Why? Because you would need to get energy from somewhere when you are sleep deprived. People who get enough sleep have healthier eating habits which means their blood sugar levels are more stable.

See your doctor regularly: When you find yourself with a disease such as Type 2 diabetes, it’s critical you stay in communication with your doctor on a regular basis. By having your blood sugar levels checked consistently, you will have a greater chance at making lifestyle modifications that can reverse your condition.

Monitor the most important health factors in your life, and you will have a greater chance of avoiding diabetic complications than someone who tries to just ignore everything.