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Last Updated: Sep 01, 2021
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Tips For Prevention Of Heath Problems Caused Due To Diabetes

Dr. GarimaGeneral Physician • 3 Years Exp.MNAMS (Membership of the National Academy) (Ophthalmology)
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Diabetes affects you if your body isn’t producing enough insulin or if your body becomes resistant to it. It is a dangerous ailment because it makes your body vulnerable to other health disorders, many of which can prove to be fatal.

What complications can diabetes trigger?

Here are some of the health problems that can arise due to diabetes-

Heart disorders

A heart attack can be fatal for diabetics. High blood sugar levels allow fats to deposit in the blood vessels leading to the heart. This clogs them and makes the walls of the vessels hard and inflexible. When blood flow to the heart becomes restricted, it can trigger a heart attack.

How you can reduce the risk of a heart attack?

  • If you are a smoker, quit smoking right away

  • Exercise regularly, you must make time for at least 30 minutes of aerobics every day

  • Lose weight, try to live an active lifestyle and cut down on junk food

  • Reduce your alcohol intake

  • Consume plenty of heart-friendly foods like flax seeds, oats, salmon, garlic etc.

High blood pressure

High blood pressure too results from the clogged vessels. Because the passage has been narrowed, blood has to exert extra pressure to make its way through the vessels.

How can you curb Hypertension?

  • Eliminate all high-fat foods, whole-fat dairy products and high-sodium foods from your diet

  • Work out every day to maintain a healthy BMI

  • Refrain from smoking and drinking

  • Your diet should consist of generous servings of fresh organic vegetables, whole grains, fruits and if possible lean meat.

Kidney problems

High blood pressure triggered by diabetes is directly responsible for causing kidney disorders. If left untreated, it can progress to kidney failure.

How can you prevent kidney failure?

  • You have to keep your blood pressure levels stable. Your doctor might prescribe medications for this and you must not skip any doses.

  • Consume foods that provide your body with good cholesterol and can keep bad cholesterol in check

  • You have to give up smoking

  • Learn to identify the symptoms of the onset of kidney problems like fatigue, bloating and nausea. Seek a medical consultation as soon as you witness any of these symptoms.

Nerve damage

Diabetes can trigger neuropathy, a kind of nerve problem. Nerves, like all other organs and muscles, require oxygen to function optimally. But if the blood vessels become narrowed, not enough blood which carries oxygen will reach the nerves. This might damage the nerves.

How can you prevent Nerve Damage?

  • You need to be aware of the symptoms so that you can undertake treatment as soon as possible to prevent extensive nerve damage. Watch out for signs like unexplained pain, tingling sensation in your limbs, toes and fingers, nausea, constipation or indigestion.

  • Don’t allow your blood sugar levels to spike. Don’t miss even a single dose of your diabetes medicine.

  • You need to quit smoking and consuming alcohol.

Loss of vision

Diabetes can lead to diabetic retinopathy. It may make fluids leak into the macula making it swell up. The macula is responsible for sharp vision. When you get macular oedema, your vision becomes blurry. Similarly, diabetes can trigger a leak in the blood vessels, which leads to proliferative retinopathy.

How can you prevent vision Loss?

  • Opt for an eye examination once every year

  • With the help of medicines, keep both your blood sugar and blood pressure levels under check.

  • Make sure your diet contains high-fibre foods like whole grains, beans, peas, bananas as well as fishes like salmon and orange vegetables that contain beta-carotene like carrots.

  • Say no to smoking and drinking

Diabetes may lead to a few lethal health problems but if you incorporate the above-mentioned measures, then there is a good chance that you can prevent the problems triggered by it.

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