00:00The following segment is brought to you by Venture Credit Union.
00:04Why just dream when you can venture?
00:17Diabetes is one of the most common conditions we see today.
00:21And many people focus on blood sugar numbers alone.
00:24But uncontrolled diabetes can affect almost every organ in the body.
00:31Tonight on House Call, we're discussing complications of diabetes and more importantly, what you can do to prevent them.
00:39When blood sugar remains elevated over time, it can cause damage to blood vessels and nerves throughout the body.
00:47Some of the most important complications include.
00:51Number one, heart disease and stroke or cardiovascular disease.
00:56Diabetes significantly increases your risk for heart attack and stroke due to damage of the blood vessels and an increase
01:04in plaque buildup.
01:06Reducing blood flow to both your heart and your brain.
01:10Number two, kidney disease.
01:12The kidneys act as filters and high blood sugar over time damages these filters, leading to chronic kidney disease.
01:21Number three, nerve damage or peripheral neuropathy.
01:25This can cause numbness, tingling and burning, especially in your feet and can eventually lead to loss of sensation.
01:35Number four, foot complication.
01:37Fore circulation and nerve damage are a dangerous combination.
01:42This combination puts you at increased risk of infection, ulcers and even amputation.
01:50And number five, eye disease or diabetic retinopathy.
01:55Damagingly small vessels of the eye can lead to vision problems and even blindness.
02:00These complications develop silently and some of them are irreversible, which is why prevention is so important.
02:10The good news is some of these complications can be prevented or even delayed with proper care.
02:16The key is to keep your blood sugar well controlled.
02:19This can be achieved by eating a balanced diet with less processed foods and even incorporating foods that help lower
02:27your blood sugar, such as tumeric, apple cider vinegar, fenugreek and cinnamon.
02:34Staying physically active is just as important.
02:37Getting those 10,000 steps a day can help.
02:40In addition to your lifestyle changes, it's important that you take your medication as prescribed.
02:48With diabetes, you can also get complications of high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
02:54So it's important to know your numbers.
02:57And of course, attending your regular checkups, including your eye exams and your foot exams and getting your kidney tests.
03:06Diabetes doesn't have to lead to complications.
03:08With the right habits, monitoring and medical care, you can live well and protect your long term health.
03:16Taking control today can make a difference tomorrow.
03:21It's Dr. Mariana Brown for TV6 House Call.
03:24The preceding was brought to you by Venture Credit Union.
03:28Why just dream when you can venture?
03:38Here we go!
03:41You are.
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