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Are you having back pain with any of the following?
- Severe pain, weakness or tingling in your leg(s).
- Difficulty stopping urination or loss of control of bladder or bowels.
- Unexplained fever, nausea or vomiting.
- A history of cancer or unexplained weight loss.
We understand that you are experiencing one or more of the health issues that might be impacting your back pain.
We recommend that you discuss these health issues with your doctor before proceeding with this program.
Once you are cleared by your doctor to do this program, we hope it helps you find relief from your back pain.
Preventing Diabetes Complications
Overview
Diabetes resulting in high blood sugar (glucose) levels can gradually lead to complications over time. Although the complications from diabetes are serious, the good news is that we can do a lot to prevent these problems. Possible diabetes complications include:
- Heart disease (cardiovascular disease), including hardening of the arteries and heart attack.
- Stroke.
- Peripheral vascular disease (hardening of the arteries, particularly in the legs and feet).
- Eye and vision problems, including cataracts, glaucoma, and loss of vision or blindness. Eye problems are often due to changes or damage to the eye's blood vessels, called retinopathy.
- Kidney damage (nephropathy), possibly leading to kidney failure.
- Nerve damage (neuropathy) including damage to nerves in the feet, digestive tract, or sexual organs. Neuropathy may affect the sense of feeling in the feet. It may also cause problems digesting food, diarrhea, or constipation.
- Difficulties with erections in men and sexual problems in women.
- Foot problems, including sores or ulcers that may not completely heal, possibly leading to amputation.
- Tooth and gum disease (periodontal disease).
Over time, high blood sugar damages the blood vessels, organs, and nerves. You can stay healthy and prevent or reduce the risk of diabetes complications by controlling your blood sugar, blood pressure, and lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides). You can also reduce your risk by making healthy lifestyle choices, taking certain medications, and having routine screening and monitoring tests.
Treatment Goals
We will work with you to set your treatment goals. Treatment goals will include keeping your blood sugar (glucose), blood pressure, and lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides) as close to normal as possible, most of the time. Studies have shown that this reduces the chance of developing diabetes complications. If your results are above the target ranges, we will discuss adjusting your treatment plan.
Blood sugar
Hemoglobin A1c (A1c) or estimated average glucose (eAG) is a blood test that measures your average blood sugar over the past 2 to 3 months. We recommend a hemoglobin A1c blood test at least every year, and possibly more often if we are adjusting your treatment plan.
The target for many people with diabetes is an A1c below 7 percent or an eAG below 150. If you are older than 65 or have additional health conditions, we may recommend an A1c below 8 percent or eAG below 180. Talk with us about your personal target for A1c and eAG.
Blood pressure
For most people with diabetes, the target blood pressure is at or below 139/89. Lower blood pressure means less stress on your heart and blood vessels, eyes, and kidneys. Ask us about the blood pressure goal that is best for you.
It is important to have your blood pressure checked at least once a year and possibly more often. In addition, consider taking your own blood pressure at home with an automatic blood pressure monitor.
Lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides)
We recommend a blood test for lipids every year. Lower LDL cholesterol and triglyceride (blood fat) levels reduce your risk for hardening of the arteries, heart attack, and stroke. Your lipid results are reported in milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dL). Target ranges for most people with diabetes:
| Target | |
|---|---|
| Total cholesterol | Less than 200 mg/dL |
| Triglycerides | Less than 150 mg/dL |
| LDL cholesterol | Less than 100 mg/dL |
| HDL cholesterol | More than 40 mg/dL for men, more than 50 mg/dL for women |
For some people with diabetes and heart disease, we aim for LDL cholesterol below 70 mg/dL. Ask us about your lipid targets.
Preventive Medications
Studies have shown certain medications protect you from heart attack, stroke, and kidney damage when you have diabetes. We recommend these medications even if your blood pressure and lipids are in the target ranges because of the protective benefit. We will discuss which medications are best for you. Common types of preventive medications when you have diabetes include:
- Aspirin, 81 mg daily, reduces your risk for heart attack and stroke by decreasing the chance of a sudden blockage in an artery. We usually recommend aspirin for people with diabetes who are over 40 years of age. We may recommend aspirin for younger people with additional risk factors like family history of heart attack, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol or those who smoke.
- ACE inhibitors or ARBs lower blood pressure, reduce your chance of having a heart attack or stroke, and protect your kidneys. We usually recommend ACE inhibitors or ARBs for people with diabetes who are over age 55 or those who have additional risk factors such as high blood pressure or protein in their urine.
- Statins lower cholesterol and triglycerides (blood fats) and may decrease inflammation inside your arteries, reducing the chance of having a heart attack or stroke. We usually recommend statins for people with diabetes who are over age 40, even when your LDL cholesterol is below 100.
Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle habits make a big difference in successfully managing your blood sugar, staying healthy, and preventing complications. Healthy lifestyle habits may mean you need less medication, have more energy, and feel better overall. Healthy habits for people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes include:
- Eating healthy foods and maintaining a healthy weight
- Being physically active on most days
- Managing stress and depression
- Monitoring your blood sugar
- Quitting smoking
- Taking care of your feet
Making changes in your daily habits can be challenging. We recommend learning about managing diabetes and making changes one step at a time. Many people find it helpful to enroll in diabetes classes or a support group for people with diabetes. It is also important to get support from friends and family members.
Routine Screening and Monitoring
Routine screening tests look for early signs of complications before you may notice any symptoms. Finding complications early means you can have treatments to cure the problem or prevent it from progressing.
Blood sugar and lipids
We recommend a blood test every year, or more often, to monitor hemoglobin A1c (average blood sugar) and lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides).
Blood pressure
We recommend having your blood pressure checked at least once a year, or possibly more often if your blood pressure is above target.
Kidney screening
A yearly urine test for microalbumin (tiny amounts of protein) is recommended for most people with diabetes. If protein is found in your urine, it may mean the kidneys are not working as well as usual, and we will discuss treatments to protect your kidneys. If you already take medication to protect your kidneys, a urine microalbumin test may not be necessary.
Eye screening
It is important to have your eyes examined every 1-2 years, even if your eyesight is good. This type of eye screening exam looks at the health of tiny blood vessels that supply the retina (thin layer of nerves that lines the back of the eye).
How often to have an eye screening depends on your type of diabetes or the recommendation of your eye specialist. A typical screening schedule is:
| Type of diabetes | When to get your eyes screened |
|---|---|
| Type 1 | Every year. |
| Type 2 | Every 1 to 2 years. |
| Women planning pregnancy | We recommend a complete eye exam before pregnancy. |
Nerve screening
We will check the nerves in your feet at an appointment each year.
Dental exams
Visit your dentist at least every 6 months to 1 year for routine dental care and cleaning. This helps keep your gums healthy and prevents gum disease and infections that may cause high blood sugar.
Additional References:
- External Link to American Diabetes Association
- PDF Link to Diabetes and Sexual Health for Women
- PDF Link to For Men - Diabetes and Sexual Health (English and Spanish)
- External Link to Diabetic Neuropathy - Health Encyclopedia
- External Link to Cataracts - Health Encyclopedia
- External Link to Glaucoma: Living with reduced vision - Health Encyclopedia
- External Link to Gum Disease - Health Encyclopedia
- External Link to Diabetes: Taking care of your feet - Health Encyclopedia
- PDF Link to Take What You Need to Help Prevent Heart Attacks and Stroke
- PDF Link to Aspirin Therapy - Preventing Heart Attacks and Strokes
- PDF Link to ACE Inhibitor Therapy- Preventing Heart Attacks and Strokes
- PDF Link to Statin Therapy - Preventing Heart Attacks and Strokes
- Diabetes: Monitoring Your Blood Sugar at Home
- Healthy Eating for People with Diabetes
- Alcohol and Diabetes
- PDF Link to Managing Your Depression
- PDF Link to Quit Smoking
- PDF Link to Relaxation Skills
Related Health Tools:
Interactive Programs
- Manage diabetes with Care™ for Diabetes Manage diabetes with Care™ for Diabetes
- Quit Tobacco Medications Quit Tobacco Medications
Personal Logs and Diaries
- Diabetes Blood Sugar Log Diabetes Blood Sugar Log
- Diabetes Blood Sugar Log (Spanish) Diabetes Blood Sugar Log (Spanish)
Videos
- Insulin for Diabetes Insulin for Diabetes
- Insulina para la diabetes (Spanish) Insulina para la diabetes (Spanish)
- Taking Care of Your Kidneys Taking Care of Your Kidneys
- Understanding Depression Understanding Depression
If you have an emergency medical condition, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. An emergency medical condition is any of the following: (1) a medical condition that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) such that you could reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical attention to result in serious jeopardy to your health or body functions or organs; (2) active labor when there isn't enough time for safe transfer to a Plan hospital (or designated hospital) before delivery, or if transfer poses a threat to your (or your unborn child's) health and safety, or (3) a mental disorder that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity such that either you are an immediate danger to yourself or others, or you are not immediately able to provide for, or use, food, shelter, or clothing, due to the mental disorder.
This information is not intended to diagnose health problems or to take the place of specific medical advice or care you receive from your physician or other health care professional. If you have persistent health problems, or if you have additional questions, please consult with your doctor. If you have questions or need more information about your medication, please speak to your pharmacist. Kaiser Permanente does not endorse the medications or products mentioned. Any trade names listed are for easy identification only.