Signs and Symptoms

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with diabetes, you may have experienced fatigue, increased thirst or appetite, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, slow-healing infections, or blurred vision. Yet, there are others who, early on in the disease, have no symptoms at all. In either case, controlling your diabetes is essential in order to reduce the risk of complications like heart disease, stroke, kidney or nerve damage, and vision problems.

Treatment

Diabetes tends to be a long-term, progressive disease so it’s important to get it under good control by following the treatment plan recommended by your doctor. This usually involves:

• Consuming a healthy diet (with limited fats, sugar, and salt and more fiber) to keep your blood sugar stable
• Exercising regularly to help your body use insulin more effectively
• Taking your medicine, whether that means insulin, pills, or a combination

To ensure that your diabetes is being well controlled by these approaches, you’ll likely be asked to measure your blood sugar using a special device, one or more times per day.

Staying Well

To help you stay healthy and manage your blood sugar properly, you’ll probably be advised to see your doctor every three months. During the visit, you’ll have a blood test called an A1C, which provides a picture of your blood sugar levels over a three-month period; at least once a year, you’ll also have a urine test to check for kidney damage. In addition, your doctor may refer you to a certified diabetes educator, a nurse practitioner, and/or a registered dietitian for lifestyle counseling. Since people with diabetes are at higher risk of developing disorders of the eyes, feet, and gums, it’s important to report any changes in these areas to your doctor–and to visit an eye doctor, a podiatrist, and a dentist regularly.

With strict control of your blood sugar and blood pressure, you can stay healthy and prevent many diabetes complications. The key to successfully managing diabetes is being attentive and consistent in the everyday care of your condition.

To learn more about how the Visiting Nurse Service of New York can help you manage diabetes, click here.