How to Avoid Diabetes-Related Health Complications

Diabetes increases the risk of many serious problems related to the circulatory system. When blood glucose levels are too high, small blood vessels in the eyes, kidneys, heart, and nervous system may be damaged. This can lead to a range of severe complications. Most diabetes-related complications can be prevented with a healthy diet, plenty of exercise, and by keeping blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible. For many with diabetes, this means administering daily insulin injections or using an insulin pump.

Diabetes-Related Health Complications

Long-term complications for individuals with diabetes develop gradually. For this reason, consistent glucose control is essential. Individuals whose glucose levels frequently fall outside of their optimal glucose range are more susceptible to complications, which can be disabling or even life threatening over time.

Cardiovascular disease is of particular concern. It is currently the leading cause of death in the U.S., and adults with diabetes are between two and four times more likely to die of heart disease or experience a stroke compared to individuals without diabetes. Other complications that can develop include:

Renal disease
Damage to the retina in the eye, which can cause blindness
Foot or leg problems as a result of sensation and circulation problems
Skin infections due to a compromised immune system
Cholesterol abnormalities, which can lead to hardening of the arteries
Nerve damage
Hearing impairments
Alzheimer’s disease

Blood Glucose Management

Careful management of blood glucose levels is important for people with diabetes. Studies have shown that monitoring blood glucose levels, and keeping them as close to normal as possible, can help prevent or delay diabetes-related complications.

Those diagnosed with diabetes who are insulin-dependent must use either injections or an insulin pump to help manage their blood glucose levels. Injections are self-administered at set intervals, whereas an insulin pump is a medical device that delivers small amounts of insulin continuously.

Advantages of Insulin Pumps

One reason many insulin-dependent individuals choose an insulin pump over injections is the freedom they feel it lends to their lifestyle. Rather than manually injecting insulin multiple times throughout the day, insulin pump users benefit from the convenience of automatic administration of precise doses of insulin without the individual injections.

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is a technology for blood glucose monitoring that has been proven to decrease hypoglycemic and hyperglycemic episodes in individuals with diabetes. Some insulin pumps integrate directly to a CGM device and display the blood glucose readings on the pump screen in a format that is quick to access and easy to read. This technology allows you and your doctor to detect trends in your blood glucose levels. By using an insulin pump, individuals with diabetes can achieve optimal control of blood glucose levels, helping to prevent the onset of diabetes-related complications. With the development of a variety of advanced features, there are now insulin pumps with CGM integration and simple-to-use touchscreen interfaces. Lightweight, durable, and watertight pumps provide a great deal of flexibility to users, improving the experience of blood glucose management. Talk to your healthcare team to learn more about how you can better manage your diabetes and avoid diabetes-related complications.