Even with diligent diabetes management, it is still possible for your blood glucose to occasionally drop too low, or spike too high.

Very high or very low blood sugar levels can lead to emergencies in people with diabetes. The cause can be an underlying infection, certain medicines, or even the medicines you take to control your diabetes. If you feel nauseated, sluggish or shaky, seek emergency care.

Some other diabetes concerns to watch out for are:

    • Heart disease and stroke. Diabetes carries an increased risk for heart attack, stroke and complications related to poor circulation.
    • Kidney disease. Diabetes can damage the kidneys, which can cause them to fail or lose their ability to filter out waste products.
    • Eye complications. Diabetes can cause eye problems and may lead to blindness. Early detection and treatment of eye problems can save your sight.
    • Diabetic neuropathy and nerve damage. One of the most common complications of diabetes is diabetic neuropathy. Neuropathy means damage to the nerves that run throughout the body, connecting the spinal cord to muscles, skin, blood vessels and other organs.
    • Foot complications. People with diabetes can develop many different foot problems. Foot problems most often happen when there is nerve damage in the feet or when the blood flow is poor.
    • Skin complications. Many people have a skin disorder caused or affected by diabetes at some time in their lives. This is often the first sign that a person has diabetes. Fortunately, most skin conditions can be prevented or easily treated if caught early.
    • Gastroparesis. Gastroparesis is a disorder that affects people with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It is the paralysis of the muscles of the stomach, resulting in delayed emptying of food from the stomach into the small intestine.
    • Depression. Feeling down now and then is normal, but feelings of sadness for most of the day, for two weeks or more is a sign of serious depression.

Make sure your visits to your healthcare providers include preventative checks for foot problems, an annual eye examination and regular blood tests. It’s never too late to help prevent the development of complications, but it is your responsibility to manage your diabetes properly.

Our Employee Wellbeing Programme (EAP) is available 24 hours a day if you want to discuss diabetes. Call us on 0861872862.