Diabetes Complications

Intensive blood glucose control is the best way to avoid diabetic complications. High blood glucose levels do not always cause symptoms, and can silently cause damage to the cells. This is why diabetes is called the silent killer. While avoiding fruit juice may help to prevent spikes in the blood glucose, the most important way to avoid complications is to control the blood glucose overall.

Mild hypoglycemia is best treated with dextrose or glucose tablets. The tablets are pure sugar which is rapidly digested and quickly raises blood glucose levels. Additionally, the carbohydrate content of the tablets is easy to count. Chicken and fish have no carbohydrate, and cheese has very little, so those foods will not be effective in treating hypoglycemia.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis and Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Non-Ketotic Coma are a life threatening emergency conditions that require treatment in a medical facility.

Both blood glucose and blood pressure control help to prevent diabetic complications.

The best way to monitor your eye health is to see an eye doctor (ophthalmologist) every year, or more frequently as needed. Exams will reveal the problem, and allow your doctor to treat, hopefully, in the early stages, and before the situation becomes advanced. Eye damage occurs in the blood vessels in the back of the eye, and initially may not affect your vision.

All of the options are correct, but the best is "All of the above". It is important to inspect your feet every day, wash and dry them carefully, protect them from extreme temperatures, and refrain from smoking. Early detection of complications can mean more successful treatment.

The American Diabetes Association recommends that people with diabetes maintain blood pressures of less than 140/90 mmHg.