Diabetes is a disease that causes high blood sugar levels or hyperglycemia. Although this does not sound like a harmful thing, it can actually lead to many severe consequences. If you have diabetes, it is critical to keep your diabetes under control to prevent such complications.

Diabetes can lead to damage to various different parts of the body. High blood sugar levels can lead to complications of the blood vessels throughout the body, which can result in heart attacks and strokes, and can also increase one’s risk of developing high cholesterol and high blood pressure. The tiny blood vessels of the eye can also be affected resulting in eye damage and perhaps even blindness. The kidneys are also organs that are negatively affected in people who have diabetes. In addition, diabetes often leads to poor blood circulation and these individuals are more prone to accidents as they have a poor perception of sensations such as burning and pain in their limbs. Sometimes this lack of circulation can make minor wounds on the feet lead to serious infections that could result in having to amputate a limb if the tissue begins to die from the lack of blood supply. It is important to note that having diabetes does not mean a person will suffer from any of these complications; but does drastically increase their risk of experiencing these consequences during their lifetime.

Fortunately, there are many things that can be done to keep diabetes under control. From learning about diabetes and knowing the signs of these complications, to keeping your blood sugar levels under control and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, all can be of benefit in controlling diabetes. Diabetes is a disease that tends to progressively get worse as time goes on which makes it necessary to aim for good control at an early stage of the disease. This makes it easier to prevent complications down the road.

To learn more about diabetes contact your Apple Drugs pharmacist or the Canadian Diabetes Association.

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