PREVENTING COMPLICATIONS

Your doctor may prescribe medications or other treatments to reduce your chances of developing eye disease, kidney disease, and other conditions that are more common in people with diabetes.

See also:

• Diabetes -- preventing heart attack and stroke
• Long-term complications of diabetes

FOOT CARE

People with diabetes are more likely to have foot problems. Diabetes can damage nerves, which means you may not feel an injury to the foot until you get a large sore or infection. Diabetes can also damage blood vessels.

Diabetes also decreases the body's ability to fight infection. Small infections can quickly get worse and cause the death of skin and other tissues.

To prevent injury to your feet, check and care for your feet every day. See also: Diabetes foot care

For more information, see diabetes resources.

After many years, diabetes can lead to serious problems with your eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart, blood vessels, or other areas in your body.

If you have diabetes, your risk of a heart attack is the same as that of someone who has already had a heart attack. Both women and men with diabetes are at risk. You may not even have the normal signs of a heart attack.

If you control your blood sugar and blood pressure, you can reduce your risk of death, stroke, heart failure, and other diabetes problems.

Some people with type 2 diabetes no longer need medicine if they lose weight and become more active. When they reach their ideal weight, their body's own insulin and a healthy diet can control their blood sugar levels.

Images

Low blood sugar symptoms

Biguanides

Glucose in blood

Sulfonylureas drug

Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors

Thiazolidinediones

15/15 rule

Diabetes and exercise

Starchy foods

Food and insulin release

Diabetic emergency supplies

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Type 2 diabetes Symptoms

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Type 2 diabetes Prevention

Review Date: 06/28/2011
Reviewed By: Ari S. Eckman, MD, Chief, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Trinitas Regional Medical Center, Elizabeth, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)