​Prevent diabetes related complications

Diabetes increases your risk for many serious health problems. The good news? With the correct treatment and recommended lifestyle changes, many people with diabetes can prevent or delay the onset of complications.

Check blood sugar regularly  
*Checking your blood glucose levels regularly can help you avoid complications. 
*It can also help you see how foods and activities affect you. 
*The closer you get to a target, the better you'll feel. 
*Your doctor may be able to help you set a target glucose level range.

Lose the excess weight
*If you are overweight, then try and shed some of the excess kilos.
*Doing so will help your body to utilize insulin better. 
*It'll help lower your blood sugar and improve your blood pressure and blood fats. 

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Get up - Get active
*Just 30 minutes of physical activity 5 days a week can help you lower your cardiovascular risks, cholesterol, and blood pressure levels, and keep your weight down. 
*Exercise also relieves stress and may help you cut back on diabetes medication.

Get adequate sleep
*Getting too much or too little sleep can increase your appetite and cravings for high-carb foods. 
*That can lead to weight gain, increasing your risk for complications such as heart disease. 
*Target for seven or eight hours of restful sleep a night. 

Stop Smoking
*Smoking increases your risk of type 2 diabetes and the risk of various diabetes complications like heart disease, kidney damage, stroke, ulcers and gangrene of the legs etc. 
*People with diabetes who smoke are two times more likely to die prematurely than those who don't. 
*Quitting helps your heart and lungs as it also helps your body fight off the effects of smoking.

Watch your blood pressure and cholesterol
*High blood pressure can damage your blood vessels. 
*High cholesterol is a concern, too, since the damage is often worse and more rapid when you have diabetes. 
*When these conditions team up, they can lead to a heart attack, stroke or other life-threatening conditions.

Pick the right carbs
*It is important to choose the right carbohydrates when one is diabetic. 
*Pick carbs that break down in the body slowly, providing steady energy.  
*Select whole grains, pulses, legumes, fruits, vegetables. 
*Eating when diabetic, is all about eating the right amount of carbs each meal.  

Pick the right foods
*There is nothing such as a "diabetic diet". 
*You just need to pick the right foods and eliminate or reduce the one's not good for you. 
*You can take the help of a nutritionist who will consider your medical conditions and lifestyle and plan an easy-to-follow diet just for you. 

Do not stress
*When you have diabetes, stress can cause your blood glucose levels to rise and it's easy to neglect your usual diabetes care routine. 
*To manage your stress, set limits. 
*Learn relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises, yoga, and meditation may be especially effective if you have type 2 diabetes.

Take care of your teeth
*Diabetes may leave you prone to gum infections. 
*Brush your teeth at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, floss your teeth once a day and schedule dental exams at least twice a year. 
*Call your dentist if your gums bleed or look red or swollen.

Pay attention to your feet
*High blood sugar can reduce blood flow and damage the nerves in your feet. 
*Left untreated, cuts and blisters can lead to serious infections. 
*Properly clean your wound and use an antibiotic cream and sterile bandage. 
*See a doctor if it's not better in a few days. 
*Diabetes can lead to pain, tingling or loss of sensation in your feet

Schedule regular physicals and eye exams
*Schedule two to four diabetes checkups a year, in addition to your yearly physical and routine eye exams. 
*During the physical, your doctor will ask about your nutrition & activity level and look for any diabetes-related complications — including signs of kidney damage, nerve damage and heart disease — as well as screen for other medical problems.
*Your eye care specialist will check for signs of retinal damage, cataracts and glaucoma.