According to the CDC, diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death listed on death certificates, and likely contributes to a great number of fatalities beyond what is listed.

Understanding the serious complications that can develop when diabetes is not managed properly with the use of appropriate diabetes testing supplies can help in developing a steady management strategy, and can serve as a reminder that all the little things done on a daily basis play a much bigger role in the scheme of your health. Most health-related issues that come with diabetes have been shown to be preventable or at least can be delayed by paying special attention
to the ABCs of diabetes: controlling blood glucose (A1C), blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Cardiovascular Disease

According to the CDC, adults with diabetes have a death rate from heart disease that is 2-4 times greater than adults without diabetes. The increased incidence of stroke follows suit, with a 2-4 times greater risk for people with diabetes than for those without. The most effective measures that you can take in offsetting this increased risk are diligence in following a healthy diet, practicing an exercise regimen that is right for you, and the monitoring of your blood glucose (using testing supplies like the ACCU Chek meter), blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Kidney Disease

Your kidneys act as a filter removing waste from the blood. Continued high blood glucose levels gradually can damage the kidneys over years, until they are no longer able to keep the body healthy. There are virtually no apparent symptoms to kidney disease until almost all function is gone.

Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease, accounting for 44% of all kidney failures. As with many of the complications of diabetes, once the disease sets in, the condition is irreversible. Severe damage can lead to complete shut down of the kidneys requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Diabetic kidney disease can largely be avoided by keeping blood glucose in your target range. According to the ADA, research shows that good control of your blood glucose with the use of diabetes testing supplies both reduces the risk of early kidney disease, and cuts the risk of developing more severe kidney problems in half. Blood pressure control also can have a significant impact in slowing the progress of diabetic kidney disease.

Neuropathy and Foot Care

About 60-70% of all people with diabetes have mild to severe forms of nervous system damage. Nerves provide your system with information about pain and temperature through touch. Over time, excess blood glucose can injure the blood vessels upon which your nerves depend. Generally, a tingling, numbness or pain begins at the toes and legs and gradually can expand throughout the body.

So for people living with diabetes, even minor foot conditions - including blisters and ingrown toenails - can be serious and lead to hospitalization. The CDC reports that more than 60% of lower-limb amputations occur in people with diabetes. Awareness and a comprehensive foot care program can greatly reduce your risk.

• Wash and dry your feet daily. Use mild soaps, warm water, and gently pat skin dry.
• Moisturize! Use lotion after washing to prevent skin from cracking. Do not, however, use lotion between your toes.
• Examine your feet daily for dry, cracked skin, blisters, cuts or sores, redness, calluses, and ingrown toenails.
• Protect your feet by always wearing comfortable shoes and socks.
• Exercise! Even a minimal amount of exercise or stretching will help keep blood circulating.
• Talk to your doctor right away if you experience even minor foot problems.

Retinopathy and Eye Care

Prolonged high blood glucose can damage the blood vessels in the retina, the layer of nerve tissue at the back of the eye. This is referred to as diabetic retinopathy, and is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults over the age of twenty.

In the early stages, there are often no telltale signs. However you might see floating spots or specks in your vision. You might also experience blurred vision which might be caused by changes in blood glucose levels.

Newer technology is now available for preventing blindness in those diagnosed with retinopathy. Early diagnosis can help assure that treatments will be successful. As always, prevention is the best medicine. The best preventative measures are to diligently manage your glucose level, to have a full eye exam annually - including a Dilated Retinal Eye Exam (DRE) - and immediately see your optometrist or ophthalmologist if you experience changes in vision without changes in your blood glucose level.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Approximately 1 in every 3 people with type 2 diabetes suffers from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), a breathing disorder caused by obstruction of the airway. More men than women with type 2 diabetes are affected. "Apnea" literally means "without breath", and during an episode of sleep apnea, one or more breaths is missed. This occurs repeatedly through sleep – as much as 250 times over the course of a single night’s rest. The most common signs of sleep apnea are consistent daytime fatigue, restless sleep and loud snoring, coupled with periods of silence and gasps as the body struggles to get oxygen. Frequently, it’s the sleeping partner who notices the condition first, since it does occur while the actual sufferer is asleep.

The most common treatment for OSA is called CPAP therapy (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure), which involves sleeping with a mask over the nose, or over the mouth and nose. The therapy is highly effective, and many users notice a difference from the first night of use.

If you display these symptoms consistently, speak to your doctor about having a sleep test performed. These are usually performed at labs; however now there are home testing kits available. And, of course, please inquire about sleep apnea or ask any other diabetes questions when they arise.