Around 6% of the UK population or 1 in every 16 people are living with diabetes (diagnosed and undiagnosed). Diabetes is a condition in which the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or cannot effectively use the insulin it makes. Insulin is a hormone that transports glucose (sugar) from the bloodstream into body cells. Without enough insulin, glucose builds up in the blood instead of being converted into energy.
Different Forms of Diabetes
There are different types of diabetes, but the most common type is type 1. This type occurs when the pancreas does not produce insulin, or does not produce enough insulin to meet the body’s needs. It affects around 10 million people in the United States alone and can lead to a wide range of complications including nerve damage, heart disease, blindness, kidney failure and amputations.
Type 2 diabetes is more common than type 1 and can be due to a combination of factors including obesity, unhealthy diet and lack of exercise. When people have both types of diabetes, their bodies have less ability to handle sugar (glucose). In people with type 2 diabetes, blood sugar levels are higher than normal because cells are resistant to insulin or because cells don’t respond properly to insulin when they should be. As a result, blood vessels may become blocked, causing damage to organs such as the eyes, kidneys and legs. Treatment for type 2 diabetes involves taking medication to keep glucose levels under control by controlling appetite or increasing exercise levels.
Still, there’s more to monitor than blood sugar levels. As diabetes starts to affect more people, it’s worth looking into these matters more closely. Here are some other health responsibilities you will need to attend to when living with diabetes.
Keep A Diabetes Diary
People with diabetes have to monitor their health carefully and daily. The best way to do this is with a diary you feel comfortable sharing. Try to make your writing as detailed as possible. Note the times you get up and go to sleep. It may also be helpful to copy down the nutritional information from the food you eat, the calculations of how many carbs there are, and how much insulin you may need to inject in line with the glucose intake.
Your records can also help when used as a reference point with health specialists. You’ll be able to pinpoint how you felt on certain days, keep a note of appointment discussions, and have a spectrum of your sugar levels to help you identify any changes. Be consistent so you can better flag irregularities.
Eye Exams with Dilation
The heart and nerves can be affected by diabetes, and many people with diabetes will check up on them. After all, the importance of doing so speaks for itself. However, many people postpone their eye tests and fail to go for years. So long as they can determine what’s in front of them, everything else can seem fine. However, London Medical explains that one should have regular eye exams even in good health. That said, they also stress that diabetic individuals should also book eye exams with dilation. They specialise in treating diabetic eye diseases, too, among other things, and work with you to create a personalised treatment plan to protect and preserve your vision. Work with this ophthalmology clinic in London, or find another like it nearby if you don’t live near the city.
It’s important to have these check-ups at least annually. Early warning signs of diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular oedema (DMO) often have no early warning signs. If specialists detect it early, they stand a much better chance of treating these conditions effectively.
Constantly Research
Try to occasionally look to the long-term future when you have diabetes. New developments are constantly underway. After all, scientists and health professionals are always digging deeper into conditions like these. There are often promising findings around drugs and treatment options, and it all opens up different avenues for people with diabetes to explore.
Of course, you’re unlikely to find an exciting update every day. Nevertheless, you must stay up to date with all the latest news. It can give you hope, inform productive dialogues during specialist appointments, and help you be more attuned to your body. There’s always more to learn.
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