Diabetes can lead to a variety of serious health problems. The good news is that with proper treatment and care, you can prevent or limit the severity of these complications.

The Causes of Diabetes-Related Complications

There are a number of reasons that people with diabetes develop other health problems. For every person, a variety of factors play a part in their overall health. Whether or not you develop a health problem is the result of many pieces coming together. Some of the reasons you may experience a complication are:

• Genetics
• Diet
• Exercise Habits
• Lifestyle
• Age
• Length of Time with Diabetes
• High Blood Glucose Levels
• Smoking
• Alcohol
• Stress
• Health History

Your doctor, CDE, and care team can help you figure out your unique risk factors. This will help you figure out what steps you need to prevent and reduce the severity of potential health problems.

Complications of Diabetes

There a number of different problems that you may have as a result of your diabetes. These include:

• CHD (Coronary Heart Disease)
• Retinopathy (Eye Disease)
• Nephropathy (Kidney Disease)
• Neuropathy (Nerve Disorder)
• Foot Ulcers, Infections, and Amputations

Keep in mind that the symptoms of these conditions will be different for every person. Some people may have no signs of the disease at all. So, it's important to talk to your doctor and have regular screenings to catch problems early.

Ways to Reduce Your Risk

Before doing anything related to your health and lifestyle it's important to talk to your CDE, doctor, and care team. They are the best people to help you figure out how to reduce your risk. Some of the things you can do to reduce your overall risks are:

• Stop Smoking
• Manage high blood pressure
• Manage high cholesterol
• See an eye doctor
• Get tested for neuropathy
• See a podiatrist regularly
• Manage your blood sugar levels
• Schedule Regular Physicals
• See the Dentist
• Reduce Stress
• Monitor Foot Temperature

These are just some of the ways to prevent and avoid complications. Talk to your care team and get regular checkups to stay healthy.

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