People with diabetes often have other health risk factors such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and kidney disease. Your healthcare team will encourage you to follow your meal plan and physical activity program, take your medications and check your blood glucose regularly to keep it in target ranges. These target ranges for your blood glucose should be discussed with your health care providers because they can vary depending on your age, health goals and other health conditions. For most people, keeping fasting glucose within 80-130 mg/dl and 2 hours after meal glucose of less than 140mg/dl are considered excellent. Keeping the blood glucose levels too high (hyperglycemia) or too low (hypoglycemia) is not optimal. It is important to know that while occasional high blood glucose does not carry long term health consequences, glucose levels that are kept too high over a long period of time (years) can lead to diabetes complications.

 

Fortunately, several large studies have shown that if individuals with diabetes keep their blood glucose level on target (as reflected by A1c test result of less than 7%. A1c is a blood test that reflects average blood glucose values in the past 3 months), they can reduce their risk for developing some of these complications by 60% or more. On the other hand, when blood glucose levels drop below normal (less than 70 mg/dl), it can lead to mental confusion or even loss of consciousness when left untreated. Consequently, monitoring glucose is the key to preventing uncontrolled hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia.

 

Because of language barriers and a lack of culturally appropriate diabetes materials, some Asian Americans may find it more difficult to achieve good diabetes control. It is important to seek out health care providers who understand your cultural values and understand the unique cultural challenges you face. You may find these resources helpful.

 

Source: International Diabetes Federation 2009

The picture above shows the common diabetes complications that could develop in patients with prolonged (many years) uncontrolled diabetes.You could greatly reduce your risk by having good diabetes control.