1. Keep a close eye on blood sugar levels to maintain levels as close to normal as possible.
High levels of blood sugar levels are harmful to your health in many different ways. Over time, the higher the blood glucose levels, the greater will be the risk of developing complications.
By keeping your blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible, you may be able to avoid microvascular disease and damage to your nerves.
2. Control your blood pressure levels.
Ideally, you should maintain your blood pressure at levels under 130/80 mm Hg. By keeping a control over your blood pressure levels, you can reduce the rate of progression of damage to your kidneys. By reducing your salt intake and ensuring a healthy weight level you can contribute to keep your blood pressure at healthy levels. In certain cases, you may also need medication to control your blood pressure.
Hypertension usually has no symptoms, it is therefore important to have your blood pressure checked regularly.
3. Control your cholesterol levels.
Your unhealthy cholesterol (LDL) levels should be under 100 mg/dL. Your healthy cholesterol (HDL) should be over 40 mg/dL (for males) or over 50 mg/dL (for females). Your triglyceride levels should be below 150 mg/dL.
Heart disease can be prevented and treated. Early detection of high cholesterol, high triglycerides, and hypertension is essential as this will allow for the prevention and treatment of heart disease.
A blood test can measure levels of LDL, HDL and triglyceride levels.
If you experience any chest pain or trouble breathing, or light-headedness, you should consult your doctor to see whether you are suffering from heart disease. People with diabetes may suffer from nerve damage which could reduce or change the usual symptoms of angina. You must therefore also keep an eye out for jaw or arm discomfort while performing physical activity, or just afterwards. Other symptoms could include dizziness, or shortness of breath that could be experienced even after light exercise.
Do not delay to seek treatment – it is better to have a false alarm than to miss diagnosing heart disease that could prove serious or even fatal.
4. Practice good foot care.
Neuropathy is damage or dysfunction of one or more nerves that typically results in numbness, tingling, muscle weakness and pain in the affected area and this is a common diabetes complication.
Diminished blood flow from the blocked arteries feeding the foot may result in limited pain sensation and may also impede the body’s infection fighters. If you have this condition you must take extra care to check your feet and toes regularly for a possible injury as the limited feeling and sensation in your feet may lead to injuries that go unnoticed and hence, untreated.
5. Set up a schedule of visits with your doctor to ensure regular monitoring.
You should ensure that you have regular medical visits at least twice a year. This will ensure that you are monitoring any possible diabetes complications and allows your medical team to find and treat problems early.
Apart from visits with your doctor, you should also include the following medical appointments:
visit your dentist at least every 6 months
visit your Optometrist/Ophthalmologist once to twice a year
visit your podiatrist annually for a comprehensive exam that includes checking for calluses, infections, sores, and loss of feeling
Your doctor should also arrange for you to have your HbA1C tested at least twice a year, get a urine and blood test to check for kidney problems, and get a flu shot.
Quality of life is determined by your health. Regular medical and blood screening is key for such diagnosis and we recommend annual screening tests for effective diagnosis to ensure that you can maintain your quality of life.
If you would like information contact us today here or on +356 21221355, 9985 2404 or send an email on info@clinipath.com.mt for more information.
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