Diabetes living with the condition

[Charliewatch]

If a person with diabetes is controlling his condition with drugs and diet etc,Does the complications associated with the diabetes still take place,or are you slowing the complications down,my BG is just above what l would like it to be but l am still experiencing cold feet as a basic example so things are still happening to my body- hope you understand what l am trying to get at,cheers Charlie.

 

[pav]

Complications can still happen, it depends on the individual and how good BS control is.

Diabetes is a weird and not so wonderful illness, no two people are the same in what the illness does to one. I have been on meds since around 2000, I have nerve damage in my feet. A year ago I had back ground eye damage when my levels went high, thankfully I got my levels down in time and this years eye photos were all clear.

A friend has had laser treatment, has bad nerve damage and some other diabetic related illnesses.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

All of the major studies show a significantly decreased statistical likelihood of developing complications at lower HbA1cs. That is why we are given the targets we are. The curve starts to level out a bit below 7.5, but 8 and up the chances of damaging blood vessels increases substantially.

Of course as Pav says, a low HbA1c does not guarantee that any one individual will remain entirely complication free... but having an A1c below 6.5 (or rather having a good BG profile with low variation that would tend to result in a <6.5 A1c*) certainly massively improves your chances of avoiding any d-related nasties waiting in the wings.



*Low A1cs that are the result of large swings in BG froim low to high and back again are less likely to offer the same protection, and carry much-reduced quality of life.

 

[yorksman]

Both the problems caused by and the progression of type 2 diabetes are due to BG levels being too high. Roy Taylor of the MagRes Lab at Newcastle writing in Medscape states that the conventional advice on blood glucose control is not sufficient to stop progression and that fasting blood plasma glucose levels of 7.0 are too high. Aim for normal levels, FPG below 5.9, 2 hour post meal levels below 7.8 (preferably 7.0) and an HBA1c below 6%.

The NHS are completely circular on this. Their targets are too high. They tell you that you have good control if you are below their limits and then, when you need stonger medication they tell you that it is the result of the disease being progressive. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by aiming to be within the range for non diabetics. Even if you can't achieve it, though in your case it's there for the taking, you will benefit from trying.

In addition to limiting the amount and type of carbs that you eat, you can also make improvements to your insulin sensitivity/resistance and help lower your lipids through daily exercise. Sporadic exercise will stop you seizing up completely but won't do much for your metabolism.

 

[Highlander]

There are no guarantees. We are all different and diabetes affects us all in different ways. I was 56 when first diagnosed, had good BG levels, healthy diet and took my meds. I have had three stents and one heart attack (while having the stents inserted) I have now had a fourth stent. Am now on Insulin. Things do change as you get older and all these little problems keep creeping up on you. It is life. All you can do is keep taking the pills/insulin, keep to a good diet and exercise (if possible). I have arthritis in my spine, so exercise is not my strong point. But since I have been on insulin my levels are much better and easier to control. It takes work to live with diabetes.