Are you regular with your Diabetes Check-ups?

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease in which pancreasdefine (organ in body) does not make enough insulindefine or does not properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that regulates the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood and is required for the body to function normally. Complications can arise in diabetes without visible symptoms so make sure you go for regular check-ups.

Cover following:

• Hemoglobin BbA1c

• Blood pressure

• Cholesterol levels

• Feet Examination

• Eye Examination

• Urine Tests

Hemoglobin HbA1C

The A1c test will show how well you have maintained your average blood glucose level for the last 3 months. The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) advises an A1c of less than 6.5% if you are well while The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends an A1c of less than 7%. One should have it every three months.

Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is known as silent killer. You won’t know about it unless your health care provider checks it. People who have high blood pressure tend to have diabetes too. The normal blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg and if you have diabetes then it should be below 130/80, but lower still if you have maculopathy or kidney damage. The combination of blood pressure and diabetes is deadly as it can cause an increase in the risk of cardiovascular diseases, strokes and eye and nerve complications.

Cholesterol

Cholesterol (ko-LES-ter-ol) is a waxy, fat like substance which can be found in both high-fat and low-fat animal foods. Cholesterol is carried through the body in two kinds of bundles called lipoproteins -- low-density lipoproteins (LDL - “bad” cholesterol) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL – “good” cholesterol). It's important to have healthy levels of both.

Diabetics are twice as likely to develop cardiovascular disease so it’s essential to check your cholesterol at regular intervals. Medications lowering cholesterol are usually prescribed by doctors for diabetics so as to prevent complications of heart disease.

Feet examination

Visit your podiatrist annually; as he or she can evaluate your feet to assess the risk for complications such as vasculardefine problems and nerve damage. The doctor will check circulation and feeling. This will help the podiatrist to determine your risk for developing complications in your feet. Take due care of your feet.

Eye Examination

Go once a year to your optometrist for a dilated eye examination. Getting eyes checked regularly can help spot trouble before it gets out of hand. Too high blood glucose levels for a longer time can damage the tiny blood vessels in the retina leading to retinopathy, which if not treated on time can lead to blindness.
Urine tests

Each time you visit your doctor get your urine tested. People having diabetes are generally affected with urinary tact infections if it is not controlled.

Review annually:

Following points should be covered in annual review.

# Diet

# Exercise

# Smoking

# Lifestyle

# Blood pressure

# Cardiovascular risk factors

# Information about diabetes

# Doses of insulindefine

# How to adjust insulin

# How to test blood glucose

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