10 Reasons Your Blood Glucose Control Matters When You Have Diabetes

Living with diabetes means working hard on a daily basis to keep your blood glucose under control, and sometimes it can be helpful to remember why you’re putting in all that hard work. The main reason? Avoiding complications. Here are 10 reasons to keep working toward your blood sugar goals.

1. Kidneys

Because uncontrolled blood sugars break down the smallest blood vessels in the body, the kidneys are particularly at risk—their tiny vessels do a lot of heavy lifting to eliminate toxic waste from your body. Keeping blood glucose under control prevents kidney disease.

Get checked: Visit your doctor for a yearly blood test to check kidney function.

2. Heart

Diabetes can damage blood vessels and lead to heart attack or stroke. To help protect your ticker: Get your daily servings of fruits and veggies, whole grains and healthy fats from nuts, olive oil and fish. Lose weight if you need to and raise your heart rate with exercise for at least 150 minutes per week, doing activities such as walking or swimming. If necessary, your doc might put you on blood pressure and lipid-improving meds.

3. Mind & Spirit

Managing a chronic health condition can mean a lot of stress, and even depression. If you’re feeling hopeless, sad or angry for more than two weeks, talk to your doctor. Depression medication or talk therapy can help. In the meantime, try meditation or yoga to relax. Even going for a short walk may make you feel better.

4. Gums

Chronic high blood sugar can cause gum disease and dental issues, so see a dentist every six months and report any bleeding, tender or red gums, as well as bad breath. Brush for at least two minutes twice a day and floss.

5. Cholesterol

If your glucose numbers are high, your risk of your cholesterol numbers being off is higher, too. Need to correct yours? Focus on fiber, exercise regularly, limit fried and processed foods and eat healthy fats such as almonds, fish and avocado in moderation. If needed, your doctor may put you on cholesterol-lowering meds, such as statins.

6. Eyes

Years of high blood glucose levels can cause the small blood vessels in your retina (the “seeing” part of the eye) to bleed, which can detach it and cause blindness—so it’s important to maintain tight control. Note vision changes, such as floating specks, and get a yearly dilated eye exam.

7. Nerves

Too much glucose in the blood over time can harm nerve cells, causing nerve damage—most commonly in the hands and feet. Called peripheral neuropathy, this damage can cause pain, weakness and numbness. Follow your treatment plan to control blood sugar levels.

8. Limbs

High blood glucose can lead to poor circulation, which can make it hard for extremities to heal. A small wound or untreated sore in an area such as the feet can lead to a deep injury that doesn’t get better, which may lead to amputation. Check your feet with a mirror regularly and report any issues to your provider immediately.

9. Skin

Chronic high blood glucose causes your body to lose fluids at a faster rate, leading to dry skin. Skin can also become dry when nerves are damaged and don’t get the message to sweat. Keep skin clean, dry and moisturized (avoid moisturizing between your toes) and use sunscreen. Keep showers warm, not hot—which can cause further dryness and cracking, especially on your feet. Report any problems to your doctor.

10. Blood Pressure

Too much sodium in the bloodstream can lead to high blood pressure. Although there’s a genetic component to high blood pressure, you can help your body by avoiding table salt (fresh herbs are a tasty alternative) and limiting processed foods, convenience foods and fast foods—they usually contain staggering amounts of sodium. Aim for 2,300 milligrams or less per day.