❤️ Why Regular Check-Ups Save Lives
Diabetes is often called a “silent disease” because complications develop quietly. Many feel fine—until serious issues affect the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart, or feet.
Most complications are preventable with early detection and management.
⚠️ How Diabetes Damages the Body
1. Macrovascular complications – Large blood vessels (heart, brain, legs)
2.Microvascular complications – Small blood vessels (eyes, kidneys, nerves)
High blood sugar thickens and stiffens blood vessels, reducing organ blood supply.
🫀 Major Complications
2–4x higher risk of heart attack, stroke, peripheral artery disease
Prevention :
- Control sugar, BP, cholesterol
- Eat fiber, vegetables, heart-healthy fats
- Don’t smoke
- Walk briskly 30–45 min daily
- Yearly ECG & lipid profile
- Damages tiny retinal vessels, causing blurred vision or blindness
- Prevention: Annual eye checkups, sugar/BP/cholesterol control
- Kidney is a filter which is commonly damaged by high blood sugar high BP and long term use of pain killer medications.
- Prevention control sugar and BP. Maintain hydration Periodic check up of kidney function and urine test for proteins.
- This is caused by damage to the nerves by high sugar - peripheral neuropathy and causes pain tingling numbness. The blood vessels are also affected by high sugars causing swelling and pain These conditions also increase risk of foot ulcers.
- Periodic specialized test- biotheisometry and touch tests, comfortable footwear and foot care.
- High sugars can result in swelling and infection of gums gingivitis. It can also cause fungal infection Regular brushing flossing and dental checkups along with sugar control is important.
- Brush, floss, dental checkups every 6 months
- Erectile dysfunction, reduced libido
- Prevention: Sugar control, active lifestyle
- Fungal infections, slow healing
- Hygiene, dry/clean skin, sugar control
✅ Regular Monitoring Matters
Regular monitoring with a glucometer or continuous glucose monitoring and sharing the reports with your doctor helps in personalising your medication and diet. This helps reduce pill burden and achieve the target.
🌿 Prevention Works!
Keep HbA1c below 7%
Control BP & cholesterol
Eat healthy, exercise, maintain ideal weight
Quit smoking, limit alcohol
Schedule regular tests & follow-ups