Healthy future

The following offers suggestions on how to keep well and manage your diabetes. Taking charge of your life and taking care of yourself will help you avoid many diabetes related problems. Remember, you are not alone – you have your diabetes team to support you.

Taking Care of Your Teeth and Gums

Diabetes can put you at a higher risk for gum disease and serious infections can raise blood glucose levels. Gum disease such as gingivitis, recognized by inflamed and bleeding gums, can lead to other more serious gum disorders and tooth loss. A feeling of dry mouth is another complaint and may also lead to increased dental decay or fungus infections such as thrush.

Simple Steps to Healthy Teeth and Gums

Brush after every meal and before you go to bed.
Floss between your teeth at least once a day.
Don’t smoke.
Make regular visits to your dentist and let he/she know you have diabetes.

Taking good care of your teeth will keep you smiling. Healthy teeth and gums are very important and you need to make brushing and flossing your teeth a regular part of your health regimen. Brushing your teeth and flossing your teeth is very simple and here are some tips on the right way to develop these good dental care habits.

Brushing:
Select a soft bristle toothbrush and make sure that you replace it regularly, about every three months, or if you have a cold. Be gentle when you brush and let the bristles do the work for you. Apply a dab of toothpaste to your brush and place your brush at an angle along your gum line. Use a circular up and down massaging motion on your teeth not forgetting the inside surfaces and the chewing surface of each tooth. Use the tip of your brush to brush behind your top and bottom front teeth. Remember to brush your tongue while you’re about it.

Flossing:
After you have brushed your teeth pull about 40 cm (20”) of floss from the spool and wrap the ends firmly around your middle fingers. Gently slide the tight section of floss between each of your teeth being careful not to snap it onto the gum. Move floss away from the gum and gently rub the floss up and down against the side of each tooth. Use a fresh section of floss between each tooth. Don’t forget to floss behind the last tooth or any other tooth where there is no other tooth touching it. Be gentle so as not to damage your gums and floss at least once a day, preferably before bed.

It’s best to brush after every meal. When you can’t, chewing sugarless gum is a good way to promote saliva which will help keep your teeth and mouth clean. Chewing sugarless gum is recommended by many dentists as an aid to dental hygiene which is important for everyone, especially for people with diabetes.

Taking Care of Your Eyes

Retinopathy does not always show symptoms, therefore, have regular eye exams. If caught early, treatment can stop the damage.

Common eye problems like near and far sightedness are not caused by high blood glucose, but cataracts, although not caused by high blood glucose, can be made worse by it. High blood sugars over weeks or months can cause blurred vision which should go away when your blood glucose comes back into safe range. If it doesn’t, see your eye doctor. Diabetes can cause blindness, especially if blood glucose stays at a high level for many years.

Some things you can do to protect your vision:

If you have type 2 diabetes have an eye examination when you are first diagnosed (tell your eye doctor you have diabetes). After your preliminary assessment you should have a diabetes eye check every one to two years.
Have your blood pressure checked frequently – blood pressure over 130/80 increases the risk of eye damage.
Keep your blood glucose and lipid levels in a healthy range. (Download Personal Diabetes Care Record)
If you smoke – speak to your doctor or pharmacist about a plan to help you quit.
If you have any changes in your vision, tell your doctor immediately. For example, changes could be rings around lights, dark spots or flashing lights.

Your sight is precious so be alert for any changes or problems and don’t delay getting help.

Taking Care of Your Feet

People with diabetes have to take very special care of their feet because nerve damage and reduced blood flow can cause less feeling than normal and so many foot problems may not be noticed right away. With your own daily care and commonsense you can identify many of these small problems before they become serious infections that may be very difficult to heal if left untreated. All serious problems should be treated by a podiatrist. A podiatrist is a doctor who specializes in the care and health of feet.

Shoes are breeding grounds for infections because bacteria is attracted to dark, warm and moist environments. Your feet are important. There are several things you can do to protect them:

Wash your feet every day, always dry your feet well and moisturize except between the toes.
Avoid temperature extremes when washing your feet and always test the water temperature with your hand.
Make sure your shoes and socks fit well and are not too tight and your socks are seam free.
Inspect your shoes regularly for foreign objects and rough or torn areas.
If your feet are cold at bedtime wear warm socks and avoid using heating pads or hot water bottles.
Cut your toenails only if they are still soft from bathing - a podiatrist does this best.
Never go barefoot.
Have your doctor check your feet at every visit. Always have the sensation in your feet checked each year.
Check your feet daily, use a good light and a mirror to see the bottoms of your feet. Look carefully for - open sores, cuts, calluses, blisters and corns. Always check between your toes. If you notice any problems call your podiatrist at once.
Beware of ‘bathroom surgery’ let your podiatrist look after corns and calluses.
Do not use chemical agents for the removal of corns or calluses.
Maintain a healthy weight – it’s easier on your feet.
Make physical activity a part of your day as it also helps to improve your circulation.
If you smoke your risk for foot problems is higher. Talk to your diabetes team about ways to help you stop.
Please take good care it’s your only pair.

Taking Care of Your Skin

Diabetes can affect your skin. Dry skin is common in those with diabetes. Maintaining healthy glucose levels will reduce your risks associated with dry skin.

Keep your blood glucose and blood pressure as close to normal as possible.
Use diabetes friendly skin care products. Ask you pharmacist or diabetes team for suggestions.
Eat well-balanced meals and limit foods high in unhealthy fats.
If you smoke - talk to your diabetes team about ways to help you stop.

Taking Care of Your Kidneys

Uncontrolled diabetes can cause kidney disease (nephropathy). Things you can do to protect your kidneys:

Keep your blood glucose and blood pressure as close to the targets as possible. (Download Personal Diabetes Care Record).
Have your kidney function checked when you are diagnosed, then once a year. (Download Personal Diabetes Care Record).
Eat well-balanced meals and limit foods high in unhealthy fats.
Bladder and kidney infections can damage your kidneys. Watch for cloudy, bloody or foul smelling urine, pain when you urinate or frequent and urgent trips to the washroom. If you suspect an infection, see your doctor.
If you smoke your risk for kidney disease is greater. Talk to your diabetes team about ways to help you stop, your kidneys will thank you.

Taking Care of your Heart and Blood Vessels

When you have diabetes, you may not have the usual signs of a heart attack like chest pain or pressure. Symptoms could be extreme tiredness, feeling breathless, even sweating. Talk to your diabetes educator to learn more.

There are several things you can do to take care of your blood vessels.

Check your blood glucose and blood pressure often. Normal blood pressure should be in the 130/80 range.
Work with your physician to keep your blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol levels in a healthy range. (Download Personal Diabetes Care Record)
Eat well-balanced meals and limit foods high in unhealthy fats.
If you are on medication for blood pressure don’t miss a dose.
Watch your salt intake.
Watch your alcohol intake.
If you smoke, stop. Your risk for heart and blood vessel disease is greater. Talk to your diabetes team about ways to help you stop, your heart will thank you.
Make physical activity a part of your day.
Work towards and keep a healthy weight. Losing 5-10 percent of your body weight can make a difference.

Taking Care of Your Sex Life

Increasing age, longer length of diabetes, elevated blood glucose, elevated blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and smoking all increase the risk of sexual dysfunction.

Things you can do to protect your sex life:

Keep your blood glucose and blood pressure as close to the targets as possible.(See your Personal Diabetes Care Record).
Eat well-balanced meals and limit foods high in unhealthy fats.
If you smoke – stop because your risk for erectile dysfunction is greater. Talk to your diabetes team about ways to help you stop smoking.
If you have any signs of erectile dysfunction – talk to your physician.
Women with diabetes can experience more frequent vaginitis (inflammation of the vagina) and yeast infections and both have a negative influence on sex drive. There are a number of medications to help with these problems. Speak to your doctor, diabetes educator or pharmacist.