Diabetes is a condition in which the body can't process blood glucose (sugar) normally because there isn't enough of the hormone insulin in the blood to keep blood glucose levels healthy. High blood glucose levels can cause a number of serious complications like heart disease, skin infections, osteoporosis and damage to the kidneys, eyes and nerves, says the Mayo Clinic. Proper diabetes care is essential to prevent life-threatening complications.
Regular Glucose Monitoring
The first step to good diabetes care is frequently checking blood glucose levels with a glucometer. Blood glucose levels should be checked several times each day so that any high or low blood sugar can be quickly remedied with insulin, food or exercise.
Control of Blood Glucose
The best way to prevent diabetes complications is to maintain steady blood glucose levels. When they fluctuate from high to low, it can wreak havoc on the entire body and cause complications to organs, systems and your skin. Blood glucose levels can be controlled with regular monitoring, good medication adherence, and a healthy diet and exercise regimen.
Adhering to Prescriptions
Insulin and other medications to manage blood glucose levels may be prescribed for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. To keep blood glucose levels steady and healthy, it is important to take all medications just as prescribed by your doctor--it will also help prevent complications.
Sticking to a Healthy Diet
Good diabetes care starts with the basics--a healthy diet. The Mayo Clinic says that you are not extremely limited when it comes to food, it is just particularly important to make healthy choices. Enjoy a rainbow of fruits and vegetables, delicious whole grains and low-fat, low-calorie options. You can even indulge in the occasional sweet treat.
Getting Exercise
A regular exercise schedule can also regulate blood glucose levels, preventing sky high readings that can damage the body. Regular exercise can even affect how sensitive your body is to insulin, perhaps lowering your dosage of insulin, reports the Mayo Clinic.
Checking Your Skin
Believe it or not, your skin is one of the most vulnerable parts of your body when it comes to diabetes complications. The U.S. National Library of Medicine notes that blood vessel and nerve damage can lead to wounds in the skin that can lead to serious infections--even resulting in amputation. Diabetes care requires frequent inspection of the skin and feet, and prompt treatment of any sores and infections.
Heart Care
The heart is often affected by diabetes, and proper care is needed to protect it from serious damage or a heart attack. High cholesterol, high blood pressure and heart attack are common complications in diabetics, so careful monitoring of heart health and medications to control those problems is often needed.
