George Sandhu, Deputy Superintendent Pharmacist at Well Pharmacy, spoke exclusively to http://Express.co.uk about the risks of high blood sugar.
“While many people live a normal life type 2 diabetes, if it is not well controlled it can make your life more complex,” said Dr Sandhu.
“High sugar levels in your blood over a sustained period of time can seriously impact your blood vessels.”
Dr Sandhu elaborated: “If blood vessels are not working properly, blood is not able to reach parts of the body that need it.
“This means nerves will not work properly either, which can lead to a loss of feeling in parts of your body, such as your feet.
“Some may develop an eye disease called retinopathy which can affect their eyesight.”
In order to prevent persistently high blood sugar levels, it helps to be aware when blood sugar levels are elevated.
Sandhu said four of the most common symptoms of type 2 diabetes not to ignore are:
- Urinating a lot, especially at night
- Feeling very thirsty
- Feeling more tired than usual
- Losing weight without trying.
- Additional symptoms of high blood sugar can include:
- Genital itching or thrush
- Cuts and wounds taking a long time to heal
- Blurred vision.
“There are steps you can take to deal with type 2 diabetes proactively,” advised Sandhu.
His three “key tips for dealing with type 2 diabetes” effectively is to:
- Make healthier food choices
- Keep active
- Stop smoking.
Sandhu elaborated: “By eating healthier food and having a balanced diet, you can bring down your haemoglobin A1C (HBA1C) level, control your blood pressure and reduce fats in your blood like cholesterol.
“A dietitian can help you to eat more healthily by advising you and offering feedback during the process.”
When it comes to keeping active, Sandhu said: “A more physically active person is a person that has a reduced risk of facing complications with type 2 diabetes.”
Sandhu added: “If you smoke, quitting is one of the best things you can do to navigate type 2 diabetes.
“When you are a smoker, it is tougher for blood to move around your body. That can cause complications in areas like your heart and feet.”
If you are struggling to manage your diabetes, do speak to your healthcare team; if you are unsure whether you have diabetes, but are experiencing symptoms, then do book a doctor’s appointment.