Complications with Diabetes Blood Glucose Levels

Complications

Most of the complications related to diabetes are caused by high blood glucose levels. To explain further, sugar is the "fuel" your body needs for all your activities - whether it's breathing, reading, walking or running. Your body changes the food you eat into a sugar called glucose. When you have diabetes, sugar, or glucose, isn't carried properly to your cells, so too much stays in your bloodstream. This form of diabetes is known as hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar. People with diabetes will monitor their glucose levels with a blood glucose meter. Left untreated, high blood glucose levels can cause a lot of damage to your body. By staying in control of your blood glucose, monitored by your blood glucose meter, you can minimize both the short- and long-term complications of diabetes.

The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) was a study of 1,441 people with type 1 diabetes. This study showed that take-charge management can lower the risk of complications from diabetes. People in this study who used take-charge management to their diabetes had average blood glucose levels near normal. These people with diabetes had a lower risk of eye disease, kidney disease and nerve damage. This study showed that you can help lower your risk of future problems from diabetes.

Short-term Complications

When your blood sugar, or glucose, goes out of control over shorter periods of time, you may experience the following complications with diabetes.

Diabetes of Hypoglycemia or Low Blood Glucose

The warning signs of hypoglycemia, or low blood glucose, include feeling shaky, sweaty, weak, dizzy, irritable, extremely hungry and having a headache.

If you become hypoglycemic, do the following things to treat your diabetes:

• If possible, test your blood glucose with a meter to verify.
• Take some type of sugar, like 3 glucose tablets (You can buy these at the drug store.), a 1/2 cup of fruit juice or 5 to 6 pieces of hard candy.
• If you are not feeling better in 15 minutes, test again with your meter, compare readings and have more sugar.

Hyperglycemia or High Blood Glucose

The warning signs of diabetes with hyperglycemia, or high glucose levels, include blurry vision, headache, increased thirst, increased urination, irritability, tiredness and unexplained weight loss over a period of time.

If you become hyperglycemic, do the following things:

• Test your Blood Glucose level with your Meter to verify. Drink lots of water and sugar-free fluids. (Limit fluids with sugar, including fruit juices.)
• Follow your recommended meal plan and meter testing treatment plan. (If you do not have a plan, meet with your dietitian.)
• Take your diabetes medication as prescribed by your doctor, like insulin. If your blood glucose remains high, see your doctor or diabetes educator.
• Test your blood sugar with your glucose meter more often (every 3 to 4 hours).
• If your blood glucose level is below 285 mg/dL and you feel well, increase your physical activity (for example, go for a walk). Always ask your doctor before starting a new exercise routine.

Diabetes and Skin Problems

Bacterial infections, like styes and carbuncles, are common skin problems when you have diabetes. Yeast-like fungus can cause itchy rashes in the folds of your skin. Dry skin is also common in diabetes, but the exact cause is unclear. High blood sugars can cause dehydration and dryness of the skin. Poor circulation may also play a role with diabetes.

When you have diabetes, you can prevent problems by taking good care of your skin daily and managing your glucose levels. If you think you have a bacterial or fungal infection, call your doctor.

Diabetes and Foot Problems

People who have diabetes are more likely to have problems with poor circulation or loss of sensation, which lead to a variety of foot problems, such as dry skin, cracked heels, foot ulcers, heavy callus formation and changes in the shape of the foot.

Poor circulation of the blood means less oxygen reaches the cells in the feet. This is not uncommon with persons affected by diabetes. If this happens, you may experience changes in nail growth, painful foot ulcers and slower healing. Some people with diabetes also may have nerve damage in their feet, causing lack of feeling or burning sensations. Nerve damage usually is a result of poor blood glucose management over an extended period of time. Damaged nerves can cause you to have little or no sensitivity in your feet to temperature, pressure or pain. If your feet get too hot, they can suffer a burn and you may not feel it. You may not feel injuries, such as when you step on a sharp object or when blisters form if your shoes are too tight. This loss of sensation makes the skin of the feet vulnerable. Damage can occur without you being aware of it when you have diabetes. Diabetes patients should inspect their feet on a daily basis. The good news is that if you take care of your feet, you may be able to lessen or even prevent these problems.

Diabetes and Periodontal Disease

When glucose levels are high in the blood, they also are high in saliva. Bacteria feed on the saliva sugar and grow in the mouth causing periodontal disease. Periodontal disease or infections in the mouth hurt your gums and bone, which hold teeth in place.

You can prevent periodontal disease by practicing good oral hygiene, managing your blood glucose levels and making regular visits to your dentist.

Diabetes and Long-term Complications

Over time, high blood glucose causes damage to the blood vessels and nerves in large organs of your body and in your legs and feet. The damage can cause the following complications:

• Decreased circulation
• Blindness
• Foot problems and amputations
• Nerve problems
• Kidney disease
• Heart disease

Let Binson's help you prevent complications from occurring. Binson's can suit your with a professional glucose meter to help you manage your glucose levels. Fill out our New Diabetic Customer Form and a customer representative will contact you.


SAVE 80% - 100% ON YOUR DIABETIC TESTING SUPPLIES!
(learn more here)

Start saving today!

Order Your Supplies

This information is from

http://www.bayerdiabetes.com/us/diabCare/aboutDiab/complications/index.asp

To the best of our knowledge, the information contained herein is accurate. However, neither Binson's, or any of its subsidiaries assumes any liability whatsoever for the accuracy or completeness of the information contained herein. This information is for educational purposes only.