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| Living with diabetes |
Why should I control my blood sugar? Question:My doctor wants to start me on insulin, what are the risks and benefits?
Most patients would feel a greater sense of well-being
as they are started on insulin as they would become less unwell as their
blood sugar improves. The risks are those of low blood sugars but with proper education
and understanding, these risks could be minimized. Patients would need
to learn to eat after their injections, to eat at regular hours, not to
miss any meals and to compensate their meals when there is more energy
expenditure such as after exercise.
- Feel better
- Stay healthy
- Have more energy
- Prevent the signs and symptoms of high blood sugar such as feeling tired and thirsty, passing urine often, losing a lot of weight, having blurred vision and having slow healing cuts/injuries
In the long run, you will:
- Lower your risks of having eye disease, kidney disease, nerve damage
and heart disease
- Enjoy a better quality of life
Usually by the time a doctor wants to start someone on insulin,
it would be after the doctor has made sure that:
a, the patient is actually taking his medications and following his diet,
b, the maximum doses for the different oral hypoglycaemic
medications have been reached,
c, the patient is not well because of too high levels of blood sugars
and there is significant weight loss,
d, the patient is suffering from a serious complication,
for example a septic foot or cardiac event,
e, the patient is pregnant or planning to have a baby.
The patient would benefit from insulin injections in any of the conditions
above. The aim is to have tight blood sugar control so as to minimize
any short-term and long-term complications.
Can I lead a normal life with diabetes?
Yes. Diabetes is a disease as any other disease. If you follow the advice of your nutritionist and your doctor regarding diet, exercise and medication to keep your blood sugar at an optimum level (less than 7 mmol/litre) to prevent complications, you can surely lead a normal life.© Ministry
of Health & Quality of Life
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