Home » Health & Wellness » Canadian Health Care » Diabetes: What You Should Know

Diabetes: What You Should Know

© Mary M. Alward

Diabetes can cause a wide variety of serious complications. Blindness, heart disease, amputation of legs or feet, nerve damage, impotence and kidney disease are risk factors that are faced by diabetics. You may think I'm repeating myself, but it is important that you understand the seriousness of these complications. In order to avoid them, you must manage the disease successfully and take care of yourself in a responsible manner. There are numerous factors that raise blood sugar levels. There are many ways to assure that you manage the disease effectively.

Stop smoking.

Lead a healthy lifestyle.

Keep cholesterol levels at a normal range. Ask your doctor to send you for testing.

Maintain your weight.

Have your blood pressure checked regularly.

Take prescribed medications at the same time each day.

Be sure your doctor monitors your glucose levels closely.

Keep stress levels under control.

Eat balanced meals in the proper proportions. (This often means measuring what you eat.)

Exercise. (walk, jog, run, cycle, aerobics, etc)

Keep active. Do not sit in front of the tv or computer for long periods of time.

Be sure to visit your doctor, dentist and optometrist on a regular basis.

Be sure to have a diabetes health care system in place to help you manage your diabetes. The team should include a family physician, nurse, dietician, pharmacist, psychologist, social worker, foot care specialist, and optometrist or eye specialist.

When you are first diagnosed with diabetes, it is normal to feel shocked, frightened, overwhelmed and angry. Try to stay positive and have a realistic attitude. Talk to people you know who have diabetes. If you don't know anyone who has it, contact the Canadian Diabetes Association. They can help you contact other diabetics.

Warning signs of diabetes may include, but are not limited to, frequent urination, ravenous hunger, and unquenchable thirst. If you suspect you may be suffering from diabetes, or have any of the factors above, take the diabetes test online. If you score high, contact your doctor immediately. Diabetes can kill.

Author's Note: If you doctor has diagnosed you with having borderline diabetes, beware. There is no such thing as a borderline diabetic. You are either diabetic or you are not. Your doctor may be referring to the term that, though your blood sugar level is not above 7.0, your glucose levels are close to that point. If this is the case, be sure your doctor monitors your glucose levels regularly. Diabetes can strike at any time.