Can the long-term complications of diabetes be prevented?

Can the long-term complications of diabetes be prevented?

Chronic complications are responsible for most illness and death associated with diabetes. Chronic complications usually appear after several years of elevated blood sugars (hyperglycemia). Since patients with Type 2 diabetes may have elevated blood sugars for several years before being diagnosed, these patients may have signs of complications at the time of diagnosis.

The complications of diabetes have been described earlier in this article. Although the complications can be wide ranging and affect many organ systems, there are many basic principles of prevention that are shared in common. These include:

• Take your diabetes medications (pills and/or insulin) as prescribed by your doctor.
• Take all of your other medications to treat any risk factors (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, other heart-related problems and other health conditions) as directed by your doctor.
• Monitor your blood sugars closely.
• Follow a healthy diet, such as the Mediterranean or Dash diet. Do not skip meals.
• Exercise regularly, at least 30 minutes five days a week.
• Lose weight if you are overweight.
• Keep yourself well-hydrated (water is your best choice).
• Quit smoking, if you smoke.
• See your doctor regularly to monitor your diabetes and to watch for complications.