In the United States, almost one-fifth of adults over 60 - 8.6 million people - live with diabetes. But thanks to advances in medical science that have helped us better understand how to manage and treat the disease, people with diabetes can enjoy the same quality of life as others without the disease as long as they keep their blood sugar under control. These simple precautions from the American Diabetes Association are easy to note.
- Be sure to get your flu shot every year. Coming down with the flu is especially risky for people with diabetes because the stresses of illness can contribute to raised sugar levels. Flu shots provide six months of protection, so get your shot as early in the fall as possible. It also makes sense to be vaccinated against pneumonia.
- Make an appointment for a regular eye exam. Visit an optometrist or an ophthalmologist, specialists who can dilate your eyes to detect signs of retinopathy. It’s not enough to have your eyeglass prescription tested by an optician.
- Check your feet every day. Make it a daily habit to look at your bare feet for red spots, cuts, swelling and blisters. If you cannot see the bottoms of your feet, use a mirror or ask someone for help. Diabetes affects blood flow to the feet, making them more susceptible to dryness and cracking, and consequently to infection.
- Take good care of your teeth. Brush your teeth twice a day, floss once a day and visit your dentist for a check-up and cleaning twice a year.
Many of the steps that doctors recommend to help manage diabetes—exercising, giving up smoking, reducing the amount of alcohol you drink—are the same for anyone trying to lead a healthier life—and the benefits are the same. Manage your diabetes wisely, and you’ll feel more active and energetic.
Free Diabetes News Delivered to Your Computer
For more information about living well with diabetes, consider signing up for one of the free e-mail newsletters from the American Diabetes Association. They feature the latest news, advice and information about diabetes. To sign up, visit www.diabetes.org