Diabetes mellitus categorizes a group of diseases disturbing the body's blood sugar, or glucose, levels. The most common type of diabetes is type 2, affecting up to 96 percent of diabetics reports the National Institutes of Health. The condition results from obesity, sedentary lifestyle and old age and other factors. Environmental and autoimmune factors as well as genetics possibly cause type 1 diabetes. Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy and children are affected by juvenile diabetes. Diabetic precautions are necessary to avoid complications such as amputation, blindness and diabetic coma.
Regular Eye Checks
Avoid potentially dangerous eye conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma and even blindness by following proper eye care. The American Diabetes Association reports people who tightly controlled and monitored blood sugar levels developed retinopathy less often than those who did not monitor their blood sugars closely. The association recommends diabetics receive an annual eye exam. It is important for diabetics to visit an optometrist and ophthalmologist for eye testing. Visiting a regular medical doctor or optometrist is not enough and may lead to retinopathy going undetected. Patients should understand the common symptoms of diabetic eye disorders. Symptoms include double vision, eye pressure, seeing spots or floating images or loss of peripheral vision. The American Diabetes Association recommends an annual pupil dilation exam to test for glaucoma for diabetics between the ages of 10 and 20 who have been diabetic for five years or more. Diabetics age 30 and over should have a dilation exam regardless the time of diagnosis.
Foot Care
Washing and inspecting feet daily is highly encouraged for diabetics. Any cut or open sore in the foot could signal the beginning of an ulcer. Due to decreased sensation and circulation in the feet diabetic's quickly form infections and wounds, which do not easily heal. Left untreated the foot or lower extremity may require amputation. Foot care precautions prove extremely important because amputation is preventable, advises MayoClinic.com. The clinic advises diabetic patients to wash and their dry feet, and then add talcum or cornstarch between the toes to dry skin. Add moisturizer to soften skin; often a diabetic experiences dry, cracked skin on their feet. Inspect feet daily and look for redness, swelling, cuts and bruises. The clinic advises using a mirror if a person has trouble bending over and viewing their feet. Diabetics should receive professional toe trimming by a podiatrist. Avoid going barefoot to avoid injuries to the foot. A diabetic should take foot injuries seriously if they occur. If foot injuries or problems do not heal within a few days, MayoClinic.com suggests seeking medical attention.
Weight Gain
The MayoClinic.com reports weight gain and using insulin are closely related. Increased weight and obesity cause additional complications for a diabetic including increased risk for heart disease or stroke. Still, there are precautionary measures a diabetic may take to avoid putting on the pounds. Patients should count calories and skip second helpings, as well as decrease portion sizes and drink water instead of high calorie drinks, suggests the clinic. Becoming physically active decreases a diabetic's dependence on insulin and provides an opportunity to lose weight. Never decrease the amount of insulin required to decrease weight gain, warns the clinic. Without insulin the body will produce increased blood sugar and the risk of developing diabetic complications increases .
