Diabetes Management & Prevention
Diabetes and heart disease often go hand-in-hand. In fact, adults with diabetes are twice as likely to have heart disease or a stroke than those without it.
Be Aware, Take Control
Those affected by all types of diabetes are still at risk of developing heart disease, even if blood glucose (blood sugar) levels are managed. The most common form of heart disease is coronary artery disease, which develops over time as the arteries that supply blood to the heart fill with plaque. Plaque, which is made up of cholesterol and other substances, causes the arteries to harden. The medical term for this is atherosclerosis. When plaque continues to build, the arteries narrow, therefore reducing the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart. This causes the heart muscle to weaken, increasing the risk of heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, and even heart failure.
Keep Your Kidneys Healthy
The number one cause of kidney disease is diabetes. Understanding this connection is the first step to helping avoid kidney problems. Kidney disease affects one in seven adults in the U.S.
Why Kidney Screenings Matter
Your kidneys help filter waste from your blood. Over time, high blood glucose (blood sugar) and high blood pressure can damage your kidneys. Because CKD often develops without symptoms you can notice, getting checked for it regularly is the best way to find out about kidney problems early. This way, you can start a treatment plan as early as possible to protect your kidney health.
Kidney Health Tests
Your kidney health is checked with two simple tests that you can get during your regular health care visits:
1. Urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR). This urine test checks for albumin, a type of protein that can leak into your urine when kidneys are damaged. Even small amounts of albumin may be an early sign of kidney disease.
2. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). This blood test measures creatinine in your blood to see how well your kidneys filter waste. This helps you know how well your kidneys are working, and if you have CKD, the stage you have.
What You Need to Know About Diabetes and Your Eyes
Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in people 18–64 years old—and there are often no obvious signs or symptoms. When your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels are above target range, over time, this can lead to diabetes-related eye disease. Diabetes affects your blood vessels, including the blood vessels in your eyes. As the blood vessels in the back of your eye are weakened, they can start to leak, resulting in blurry or cloudy vision, which is called diabetes-related retinopathy. Diabetes-related eye disease can cause vision loss.
The most important thing you can do to protect your eye health is scheduling a diabetes eye exam. These eye exams can help identify existing eye disease so you can take steps to prevent or delay vision loss caused by diabetes.
Diabetes and Foot Care
Diabetes can cause nerve damage. Lost sensitivity in the feet can make it difficult to know when you are hurt or injured and even the smallest cuts and scrapes can become difficult to heal. To help prevent foot complications that can come with diabetes, it’s important to have the right information to make smart choices and connect with expert diabetes advice!