You and Your Body
You & Your Body This section explains symptoms, complications and which precautions you need to take.
Hypoglycaemia
Hypoglycemia, or hypo as most people with diabetes say, occurs when the blood sugar falls to a level below 4 mmol/l and you start to experience symptoms. In this section, you can read about the symptoms of hypoglycemia and precautions you must take to avoid
Hyperglycaemia
Hyperglycemia, or hyper as it is often called, occurs when the blood sugar level is too high typically above 15 mmol/l. In this section you can read about the symptoms of hyperglycemia and the precautions you must take to avoid it.
Self-management
Finding the right balance of food, exercise and insulin is the key to living a good and healthy life with diabetes. Take good care of yourself! You know your own body. Only you can recognize the subtle feelings that may indicate a change.
Stress & Crises
It is important for the person with diabetes to be aware of stress and to understand how stress can affect blood sugar. Coping with stress is an essential part of your diabetes care.
Complications related to diabetes
Serious complications can develop after many years of living with diabetes. The risk of these complications can be reduced or completely eliminated by constantly striving for the best possible diabetes control.
Your Feet
To protect your feet, you should always wear soft, well-fitted shoes that allow a little extra room since feet expand, or swell, later in the day and when warm. Shoes that are too tight can cause sores within just a few hours. Socks should be seamless.
Your Eyes
Careful regulation of blood sugar reduces the risk of complications, including diabetes related eye damage. High blood pressure can also damage the eyes and must be treated. An eye specialist should examine the retinas of your eyes every year.
Your Kidneys
Everyone with diabetes should have their urine tested for protein at regular intervals. If too much protein is discovered, kidney function will be further tested.
Your Nerves
After many years of living with diabetes, some people develop a nerve disease known as diabetic neuropathy. This disease affects peripheral nerves, which serve the muscles, skin and inner organs.
Your Heart
When you have diabetes it is essential that you monitor and manage all the factors that increase your risk of artery disease, as disease of the heart and circulatory system can be very serious.
APP/KOL/AC 22/02/07