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For Healthcare Professionals

This section contains information specifically for healthcare professionals that have an interest in Diabetes. To access this area you must be registered on this site and be logged in.

Services for Professionals

Under 18?

This section is for under 18's and contains a great interactive tool to help you and your family learn more about diabetes.

Managing Diabetes

- The interactive web tool for children and families. It may be helpful to look at this section with your parents at first.

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Managing Diabetes Complications

father and daughter at computer

As you may already know, controlling your blood glucose is important for avoiding hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia—blood glucose lows and highs.

By keeping your blood glucose level in your target range, you may delay or prevent long-term complications. High blood glucose levels can damage many parts of your body, including your eyes, heart and toes. The good news is that you, along with your healthcare professional, may be able to lessen the impact of diabetes complications on your life.

This section list some of the more common diabetes-related complications, their symptoms and treatments, and some steps your healthcare professional may recommend to help reduce your risk.

Nerve Pain and Damage

High blood glucose levels may damage the insulation of nerve cells and nerves may stop sending signals through the body the way they should. This is called neuropathy.

Many people know that nerve damage can affect their hands and feet—that is why your healthcare professional should check the sensation in your feet at every visit. But nerve damage can also affect every organ in the body—from your digestive tract to your bladder and sexual organs. Nerve damage can also affect your ability to feel the symptoms of low blood glucose levels (hypoglycaemia).1

Who Is at Risk for Diabetic Neuropathy?

About 60%–70% of people with diabetes have some form of nerve damage. The highest rates are among people who have had diabetes for at least 25 years and among those who have high cholesterol, high blood pressure or weight issues. It is also more prevalent among people with problems controlling their blood glucose levels.1

Neuropathy Symptoms

The symptoms of nerve damage depend on the type of neuropathy and which nerves are affected. In some types of neuropathy, there may be no symptoms at all. Because it develops slowly, mild cases can go unnoticed for a long time. Look for the following symptoms:1

  • Numbness, tingling or pain in the toes, feet, legs, hands, arms and fingers
  • Sensitivity to touch
  • Indigestion, nausea or vomiting
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Diarrhoea or constipation
  • Dizziness or faintness when you stand or sit up
  • Profuse sweating at night or when eating
  • Problems with urination
  • Sexual issues, such as erectile dysfunction in men and vaginal dryness in women
  • Loss of balance or coordination

Treatment for Diabetic Nerve Damage

Your treatment for diabetic neuropathy is likely to start with tighter blood glucose control. Blood glucose monitoring, meal planning, physical activity and medication may all help as well. Your healthcare professional may also recommend oral medication or a topical cream for pain relief.

If you have any of the symptoms listed above, speak to your healthcare professional to get the help you need.

1 National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Diabetic neuropathies: the nerve damage of diabetes. Available at: http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/neuropathies/index.htm. Accessed October 16, 2008.

 

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This website contains information on products which are targeted to a wide range of audiences and could contain product details or information otherwise not accessible or valid in your country. Please be aware that we do not take any responsibility for accessing such information which may not comply with any valid legal process, regulation, registration or usage in the country of your origin. For people with diabetes. Use only as directed. See your healthcare professional for medical advice.