High blood sugar levels can seriously damage parts of your body, including your feet and eyes. These are called diabetes complications, but you can take action to prevent or delay many of the side effects of diabetes.
Click the link below for information on diabetes complications:
https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/complications
High sugar levels in your blood over a long period of time can seriously damage your blood vessels. If your blood vessels are not working properly, blood cannot travel to the parts of your body it needs to. This means your nerves will not work properly either and means you lose feeling in parts of your body. Once you’ve damaged the blood vessels and nerves in one part of your body, you’re more likely to develop similar problems in other parts of your body. So if your feet are damaged, serious heart problems can follow.
We know that the higher your HbA1c level, the more you are at risk of developing complications. HbA1c is glycated haemoglobin. This is made when glucose, which we call sugar, sticks to your blood cells and builds up in your blood. It is measured by a blood test that shows your average blood sugar levels over the last three months. A high HbA1c means you have too much sugar in your blood. Even a slightly high HbA1c increases your risk of developing complications.
What is HbA1c? https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/managing-your-diabetes/hba1c
The Diabetic Eye Screening Wales service checks for eye problems caused by having diabetes. Eye screening looks for damage to the back of the eye (diabetic retinopathy) which can lead to permanent sight loss. Making changes to your diabetes management, or having specialist treatment can slow or reverse changes caused by diabetic retinopathy. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, and are aged 12 or over, you will be invited to attend a screening appointment. We normally invite you every year, by sending you a letter to your home address.
https://phw.nhs.wales/services-and-teams/screening/diabetic-eye-screening-wales/
Foot care is of the utmost importance whether you have Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes. Step this way for some crucial advice
But it is not just about blood sugars. High blood pressure, smoking and a lot of fat in your blood (cholesterol) can all damage your blood vessels and put you even more at risk. Please refer to helpful advice found in this section for more details.