Tips for Managing Diabetes Complications

Diabetes happens when high levels of glucose (blood sugar) remain in your bloodstream instead of your cells, where it’s converted into energy.

How Diabetes Can Cause Complications

Diabetes happens when high levels of glucose (blood sugar) remain in your bloodstream instead of your cells, where it’s converted into energy.

The extra glucose trapped in your bloodstream can damage your blood vessels, causing complications throughout the body. Laura separates diabetes complications into two categories: acute and chronic.

Acute complications develop quickly and are easier to treat. For example, blood sugar spikes cause symptoms such as thirst, blurry vision and fatigue.

“If it’s high blood sugar, there are things like medication and fluids that can help get your blood sugar down,” says Laura.

When acute complications happen frequently, they turn into chronic complications like nerve damage, poor wound healing, heart conditions, kidney damage, dementia, loss of sight, limb loss and coma if not kept in check.

“While the damage is happening, sometimes over years and decades, we don’t feel anything,” says Laura. “So, it can be silent and easy to ignore.”

Managing Complications and Reducing Risk

Diabetes can affect you in ways you don’t see or feel, which makes it crucial to proactively manage your condition. Here are some ways you can manage your health and prevent more serious complications related to your diabetes.

Know Your Numbers

Laura recommends keeping important health numbers such as your A1C, cholesterol and blood pressure on target to reduce your risk of heart attack or stroke.

For those with diabetes, the recommended A1C level is 7%. For adults aged 40-75, cholesterol levels should be less than 70 mg/dL. According to the American Diabetes Association, the general recommendation is a blood pressure goal of less than 130/80 mmHg. For those at higher risk of heart or kidney complications, a goal of 120/80mmHg is recommended.

Reduce your risk for heart attack and stroke

Those with diabetes are at a higher risk of heart attack and stroke due to the long-term effects of high blood sugar and other lifestyle factors. The best way to reduce your risk is to take your medications as directed by your physician. This will help maintain your blood sugar control. Take other steps such as incorporating more fruits and vegetables into your diet, quitting smoking and adding in exercise. Laura says that you don’t have to run a marathon, and just simply adding in walking can help you control your blood sugar, lower cholesterol and blood pressure.

Knowing the signs of stroke and heart attack will also help you be prepared and get help quickly.

• Use the BE FAST method to learn the signs of a stroke. (Balance loss, Eyesight changes, Face drooping, Arm weakness, Slurred speech, Time to call 911.

Common heart attack symptoms include chest pain, arm pain and shortness of breath. Laura notes that other symptoms such as nausea and sweating can mimic a low blood sugar episode in someone with diabetes, so be sure to check your blood sugar if you have those particular symptoms. If you start to experience any symptoms related to stroke or heart attack, call 9-1-1 right away as minutes and seconds matter. 

Expand Your Care Team

• Foot Care: Proper foot care can help identify issues that could result in poor wound healing. Laura says having a podiatrist can help you properly look after your feet and trim your toenails. You should also do daily foot checks, especially if you have any blisters or cuts on your feet, to make sure that they are clean and healing.
• Eye Care: Developing eyesight issues is a common complication for those with diabetes. An ophthalmologist or an optometrist can examine the blood vessels in the back of your eye to monitor your eyesight. Getting a yearly eye exam is the best way to detect and prevent vision problems related to diabetes.
• Diabetes-Specific Care: If your primary care provider thinks additional medical care is needed and your medication isn’t lowering your A1C, you can visit an endocrinologist and receive “expert, more focused evaluation and treatment,” says Laura.
• Heart Care: Those with diabetes are at higher risk for heart-related conditions. Laura adds that a cardiologist may be helpful for some people with diabetes, but others are fine with their primary care provider managing their heart conditions.
• Mental Health:  Laura points out that diabetes requires you to think about your blood sugar, diet and medicine from when you wake up to when you go to sleep. “It gets to a point where people can get burnt out, and it’s called diabetes distress.” It’s important to recognize the signs of this distress and find ways to manage your mental health. Check out the “Adventist HealthCare and You” podcast episode on reducing diabetes’ toll on your mental health. Other ways you can manage your mental health while also managing diabetes include:
  • Lower your stress, which can help you control blood pressure and blood sugar.
  • Ask for support from a friend, family member or by joining a support group for people living with diabetes. Never be afraid to seek the help you need.

Laura says that by finding the right combination of medical care and self-care, you can manage your diabetes and lower the risk of serious complications. Adventist HealthCare offers free diabetes workshops and support groups to help you get started on living a healthy life with diabetes.  Find a class on our Classes and Event page.