Caring for your Body with Diabetes Mellitus

The newly diagnosed patient with diabetes mellitus must learn a whole host of new ways to take care of their body so that the diabetes doesn’t take a premature hold over it and damage vital organs.  This is partly why new diabetics take diabetic education so as to learn ways to be healthy in spite of their disease.  Diabetic education isn’t all about taking drugs or insulin.  There is definitely much more to it than not.

Those with diabetes mellitus must learn to take care of their feet.  They must learn not to trim their own calluses and should check their feet often for the presence of sores or cuts on the feet.  This is because diabetics easily lose sensation to their feet and don’t notice pressure sores.  In addition, diabetics have poorer circulation to their feet which can cause sores from lack of circulation.

Those with diabetes mellitus get infections more readily than others.  They may get infections more severely and may need to seek medical attention quicker than they would have if they didn’t have the disease.  This can include abdominal infections, skin infections, respiratory infections and simple viral infections.  It is recommended that diabetics get flu shots and the Pneumovax immunization, which protects them against the most common type of pneumonia.

Diabetes mellitus patients must pay more attention to dental care.  They are more prone to dental infections and tooth decay.  This means that an adult who went to the dentist only once every couple of years needs to go every six months.  Teeth brushing is also more important.

Diabetes mellitus affects a person’s dietary habits.  The person must avoid refined sugars and diets high in fats.  Those with diabetes are more prone to high triglycerides and high cholesterol.  Diabetics must make dietary choices that allow them to eat comfortably without so much sugar or fat in it.

Regarding lipids and diabetes mellitus, a diabetic is much more likely to suffer from strokes or heart disease.  Sometimes it isn’t enough to eat a lower fat diet.  Often the cholesterol and triglycerides remain high.  This is when diabetics often must resort to taking anti-cholesterol medication in order to reduce their risk for heart disease.

Diabetes mellitus is also a risk factor for kidney disease.  Diabetics must drink plenty of fluids and must have their kidney function checked at least once per year.  Diabetes is one of the leading causes of chronic kidney failure and some diabetics need dialysis or a kidney transplant.  This often occurs after years of poorly managed diabetes; nevertheless, the function of the kidneys must be assessed as early as possible in the course of the disease. 

Diabetes mellitus causes peripheral neuropathy or nerve damage to the feet and legs.  This means that diabetics must have their nerve sensation checked around once per year to make sure the small nerves that supply the feet and legs haven’t become damaged.  The only way to prevent this condition is to keep the diabetes mellitus under the best possible control.