How to prevent diabetic eye problems? Diabetic eye disease is a serious condition that requires urgent treatment. Many people with diabetes don’t even know that they have the condition, which means there are many people who could benefit from early treatment. In this blog, we have an article about low carb lunch ideas for diabetics that you might want to read about it.
Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. Blood glucose is your main source of energy and comes from the food you eat.”
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
What is Diabetes
Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, or the body does not react to insulin. This disease can cause high blood sugar, which can lead to increased risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, blindness and many other complications.
The most common type of diabetes is Type 2 Diabetes. It occurs when the pancreas doesn‘t make enough or any insulin. Normally, the liver makes some insulin, but it stops working after about 10 years without treatment. The rest comes from injections. There is also gestational diabetes during pregnancy, when the mother has an overactive thyroid gland or too much progesterone . Gestational diabetes usually goes away after delivery.
Another form of diabetes is called Juvenile Diabetes. It happens when the cells in the pancreas stop making insulin. People with juvenile diabetes need regular shots of insulin for their whole life. There are three main types of diabetes: Type 1, Type 2 and gestational diabetes.
Diabetes is a chronic, metabolic disease characterized by elevated levels of blood glucose (or blood sugar), which leads over time to serious damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys and nerves.”
World Health Organization
Types of Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes: This is where your immune system destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancrease. If you were born with this type of diabetes, then you will always be dependent on injected insulin. You do not have to worry about being overweight because you cannot store excess food as fat.
Type 2 diabetes: Type 2 diabetes is caused by lack of insulin action due to low levels of insulin or resistance to the hormone. Most adults suffer from Type 2 diabetes. As long as you keep yourself at normal weight, eat healthy foods and exercise regularly, you may control your blood glucose level. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, drinking alcohol and obesity increase the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
Gestational diabetes: During pregnancy, if your blood sugar is higher than 140 mg/dl after fasting for 8 to 12 hours, then you can develop gestational diabetes. After birth, you can still have gestational diabetes until you reach the age of 18. Women with gestational diabetes must take care of themselves while pregnant. They should try to avoid gaining more than 40 pounds before giving birth.
Other forms of diabetes include cystic fibrosis, Marfan syndrome, sickle cell anaemia and adrenal insufficiency. These conditions can affect the way your body reacts to insulin, so you should consult a doctor for advice.
What is Diabetic Eye Problems
Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most common complication of diabetes. It affects up to 85% of people with diabetes and often leads to vision loss. The good news is that diabetic retinopathy can often be prevented or treated successfully.
How To Prevent Diabetic Eye Problems
So, how to prevent diabetic eye problems? One of the best ways to help reduce your risk of diabetic eye disease is to maintain proper blood sugar levels. In general, the lower your blood sugar level, the less likely you will be to develop diabetic eye diseases.
However, there are no studies showing that eating special diets prevents diabetic eye problems. You cannot change what foods you eat. Instead, make sure you eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. This will keep you healthy from head to toe. It is especially helpful when you are trying to lose weight too.
Try to keep your blood sugar at normal levels by exercising regularly, taking your medicine as prescribed and monitoring your glucose readings. You can do this by testing yourself two times daily. If you test your blood sugar levels frequently, you can catch the early warning signs of high blood sugars.
If you find that you need to increase your dose of medication or decrease your exercise program, talk to your doctor immediately. Remember, you can never tell how much sugar your body already has in it. So, always monitor your blood sugar closely. Also, check your urine for protein each month. If you find any protein, speak with your doctor about whether you need to adjust your medication regimen.
What are the symptoms of diabetics eye problems?
When you first start getting these symptoms, it might seem like nothing. But, in time, they become worse and worse. Your sight starts to blur, and you may notice spots in front of or behind your eyes. Sometimes, pain increases, and sometimes you feel weak or dizzy. Some signs of diabetic eye problems include:
- Blurred vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Painful eyes
- Tingling, numbness or burning in hands or feet
- You may see tiny specks swimming around your field of vision, known as floaters
If you have had diabetes for a long period of time, you may experience several different kinds of problems. Most of the time, however, only one kind of problem develops, so the chances of seeing all of them are very small.
What causes Diabetic Eye Disease?
The exact cause of diabetic eye disease is unknown, but some things appear to play an important role. For example, certain medicines used to treat diabetes can lead to damage in the retina. Other factors such as genetics, family history, poor diet and unhealthy habits also play a part.
High blood sugars can break down the tiny blood vessels in the back of the eye. When this occurs over a long period of time without treatment, scars form, which can leak fluid and interfere with the optic nerve’s ability to send signals between the brain and the eyes. Early changes in the retina may not show up on routine eye tests. That is why it is wise to get tested every year. If you notice any new symptoms of diabetes, talk to your doctor right away.
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