Is diabetes a serious disease ?

Is it Serious?

Is diabetes a serious disease?

Yes. Diabetes is a serious disease and should not be ignored. It can affect all parts of your body. Any level of high blood sugar could be dangerous to you over time. High blood sugars, if not lowered, can cause blindness, amputation, kidney failure and heart disease.

You can avoid these kinds of problems.

Many studies have shown lowering blood sugar and living a healthy lifestyle are important steps to help prevent complications.

Choices you can make to live a healthier lifestyle include:

eating a healthy diet l exercising regularly

losing weight if you are overweight l quitting smoking

having yearly eye &teeth check ups l reducing stress

controlling high blood pressure l taking care of your feet

The most important thing you can do is learn more about diabetes. Listen carefully to your doctor's advice. Have your doctor refer youto a diabetes education centre. The health professionals there are specially trained to help you learn everything you need to know about your diabetes and how to prevent complications of diabetes.

Take action

Attend a diabetes education centre with your family;

Call the Canadian Diabetes Association to learn where the closest diabetes education centre is in your area;

Take control of your diabetes. Any positive changes you make will help.

Regularly monitor your blood glucose (sugar)levels either through your doctor's office or at home with a blood glucose monitor.