Living with type 2 diabetes is a full-time job. When you also are experiencing complications from your condition, the job gets even harder. That’s why, with your doctor’s help, you need to develop and stick to a comprehensive health plan.

You have diabetes complications because your elevated blood sugar took a toll on either your circulatory or nervous system, or both. Keeping your blood-sugar levels under control remains central to your battle to stay healthy. It’s also critical to keep your blood pressure and your cholesterol within a normal range.

Know the Risks
People with diabetes have twice the risk of developing heart disease compared to people without diabetes, and diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure among Americans. Neuropathy, or nerve damage that causes burning, numbness or complete loss of feeling in your hands and feet is another problem. The loss of feeling can put you at risk for burns and sores that you are unaware you have. Untreated, these sores may develop into tissue damage that leads to amputation.
People with type 2 diabetes also are at increased risk for serious eye problems that may threaten their vision, including diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and cataracts. Diabetes can also make you more prone to dental problems, including gum disease.

Know the Signs of Danger
With such serious problems, it’s important to know the signs of trouble and be ready to act when they happen.

Heart attack: Symptoms may be severe and appear suddenly or they may be subtle, with only mild pain and discomfort. If you experience any of the following heart-attack warning signs, call 911:
  • Chest discomfort that feels like pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the center of your chest and that lasts for a short time or goes away and returns
  • Pain elsewhere, including the back, jaw, stomach, or neck; or pain in one or both arms
  • Shortness of breath
  • Nausea or lightheadedness
Stroke: Immediate emergency treatment can mean the difference between life and death when someone has a stroke. Call 911 if you suddenly experience any of the following stroke symptoms:
  • Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially if it occurs on one side of the body
  • Feeling confused
  • Difficulty walking and talking and a lack of coordination
  • Developing a severe headache for no apparent reason
What You Can Do

To keep track of the constellation of problems that can accompany type 2 diabetes, it’s critical to stick to a schedule of medical visits:
  • See your primary care doctor or endocrinologist every three or four months.
  • See your dentist every six months.
  • See your ophthalmologist every six months or more often if you have active eye problems.
  • See your podiatrist once a year or more often if you have active foot problems.
  • Consult with your dietitian, exercise physiologist, or mental health counselor as needed.
Managing the complications of diabetes is daunting — but doable. Advances in medical care in recent decades have made type 2 diabetes and its side effects more treatable — and new solutions are being developed all the time. Don’t give up!