Heart disease and stroke

Did you know...

• Diabetes may mean an increased risk for heart disease and stroke
• People with diabetes are two to four times more likely to suffer strokes
• Heart disease and stroke are major causes of death in people with type 2 diabetes
• Three out of four diabetes-related deaths are caused by heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) disease
• People with diabetes also tend to have other risk factors for heart disease including obesity, high blood pressure, and hardening of the arteries

Ways to help lower your risk for heart disease and stroke

• Work closely with your healthcare team in treatment decisions, set personal lifestyle goals, get informed. These are ways to actively manage your disease
• Control your blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol
• Ask about aspirin therapy for cardiovascular disease prevention
• Quit smoking

Eye damage

Did you know...

• Diabetes can cause eye problems and may lead to blindness
• In fact, every year as many as 24,000 people go blind because of diabetes
• People with diabetes have a higher risk of blindness and are 40 percent more likely to suffer from glaucoma than people without diabetes

Ways to help lower your risk for eye damage

Have an eye-care professional examine your eyes once a year, even if there's nothing wrong with your vision. He or she will use drops to dilate your pupils (make them bigger), in order to see the back of your eye. Ask your eye-care professional to check for signs of cataracts and glaucoma. Finding eye problems early and getting treatment right away will help prevent more serious problems in the future.

Foot problems that can lead to amputations

Did you know...

• Diabetes can cause nerve damage (neuropathy), which can lead to numbness and sometimes pain or weakness in the legs or feet. At times, you may not be able to feel pain
• Diabetes can cause foot ulcers (sores), infections, and loss of blood flow, possibly resulting in amputation
• Severe nerve damage in people with type 2 diabetes is the major cause of leg and foot amputations. More than 60 percent (82,000 in 2002) of leg and foot amputations unrelated to injury occur in people with diabetes
• Comprehensive foot care programs can reduce amputation rates by 45 percent to 85 percent

Ways to help lower your risk of foot problems

• Clean your feet daily, using warm–not hot–water and a mild soap. Avoid soaking your feet. Dry them with a soft towel; dry carefully between your toes
• Inspect your feet and toes every day for cuts, blisters, redness, swelling, calluses, or other problems. Use a mirror (laying a mirror on the floor works well) or get help from someone else if you cannot see the bottoms of your feet. Tell your doctor about any problems
• Wear shoes that fit well and allow your toes to move

Kidney disease

Did you know...

• The kidneys filter the waste products from the body. High blood sugar can damage the kidneys, leading to kidney failure
• Diabetes is the leading cause of severe kidney disease
• In 2000, approximately 41,046 people with diabetes started treatment for kidney failure

Ways to help lower your risk for kidney disease:

• Control your blood pressure. Keep your blood pressure below 130/80. Ask your doctor what numbers are best for you. Take your blood pressure medicine exactly as your doctor has prescribed. Keeping your blood pressure under control may also reduce or help prevent damage to your eyes, heart, and blood vessels
• Follow a healthy eating plan. Work with your doctor or dietitian to develop the best plan for you. If you already have kidney problems, your dietitian may suggest that you cut back on protein, such as meat
• Have your kidneys checked at least once a year. Have your urine tested for small amounts of protein. This is called the microalbumin (MY-kro-al-BYOO-min) test
• Have your blood tested at least once a year. Have a doctor test your blood for creatinine (kree-AT-ih-nin). The result of this test should be used to determine your glomerular (gloh-MEHR-yoo-ler) filtration rate (GFR), which is a measure of kidney function
• Avoid taking painkillers regularly. Daily use of pills like aspirin or acetaminophen can damage the kidneys; although your doctor may recommend a single dose of aspirin every day to protect the heart, or acetaminophen for occasional pain. If you have chronic pain, such as arthritis, work with your doctor to find a way to control your pain without putting your kidneys at risk
• See a doctor for bladder or kidney infections right away. You may have an infection if you have these symptoms:
• Pain or burning when you urinate
• Frequent urge to go to the bathroom
• Urine that looks cloudy or reddish
• Fever or a shaky feeling
• Pain in your back or on your side below your ribs