High blood glucose levels over a long time increases the risk of other health problems.
These include:
- sight problems and blindness
- kidney problems
- foot and circulation problems
- pain and loss of feeling (nerve damage)
- heart disease and stroke
These problems can happen gradually.
The best way to lower your risk is to:
- keep blood glucose levels within your target range
- go to your diabetes appointments
- go to your diabetic retina screening appointments
- do a course for type 1 diabetes, for example DAFNE
Getting your heart health checked
Have your cholesterol and blood pressure checked at least once a year.
If you smoke, you should stop. Smoking has a negative effect on your heart. But for people with diabetes, these effects are even worse. The best thing you can do for your health is not to smoke.
Loss of feeling
Diabetes can damage your nerves (neuropathy), causing:
- numbness
- pain or tingling
- problems with sex
- constipation or diarrhoea
Contact your diabetes team if you notice any changes like these. Early treatment can prevent nerve damage getting worse.
Looking after your feet
Poorly treated diabetes can reduce the blood supply to your feet and cause a loss of feeling.
This means foot injuries do not heal well and you may not notice if your foot is sore or injured. This can lead to ulcers and infections.
Check your feet every day and:
- keep your feet clean and dry to avoid infection
- try not to go barefoot to avoid cuts and grazes
- wear shoes that fit well
Contact your diabetes team if you notice any changes, such as:
- cuts, cracks or blisters
- pain or tingling
- numb feet
If you have problems with your feet, you may be referred to a podiatrist (foot specialist).
Get your feet checked every year by a professional, such as:
- your GP
- a practice nurse
- a diabetes team member
- a podiatrist
Foot care for people with diabetes
Checking your eyes
Diabetes can damage the blood vessels in your eyes. This can cause sight problems (diabetic retinopathy) and blindness.
Having your eyes checked as part of diabetes care is called diabetic retina screening.
Diabetic RetinaScreen
Diabetic RetinaScreen offers free eye screening to people with diabetes age 12 and older.
If you have diabetes and would like to check if you are on our register, freephone: 1800 45 45 55
Attend your screening appointment every time you're invited. This is different from an eye test that checks your eyesight.
If diabetic retinopathy is found early, treatment can reduce or prevent damage to your sight.
Non-urgent advice: Contact your GP or diabetes team immediately if
you notice changes to your eye sight, including:
- blurred vision, especially at night
- shapes floating in your vision (floaters)
- sensitivity to light
