People with diabetes can prevent or at least slow down the development of diabetes complications by monitoring and controlling 3 factors: גלוקאָוס בלוט דרוק און קאַלעסטעראַל.

• בלוט צוקער קאָנטראָל. Achieve and maintain as often as possible an optimal blood glucose level by respecting the treatment protocol set up with the medical team. Large studies have shown the importance of good blood sugar control, regardless of the type of diabetes^1-4 . See our Diabetes sheet (overview).
• קאָנטראָל פון בלוט דרוק. Aim for as close to normal blood pressure as possible and control hypertension. Normal blood pressure helps prevent damage to the eyes, kidneys, and cardiovascular system. Check blood pressure regularly. See our Hypertension sheet.
• Cholesterol control. If necessary, take care to maintain the blood cholesterol level closest to normal. This helps prevent cardiovascular disease, a major problem in diabetics. It is recommended to do an annual lipid assessment, or more often if the doctor considers it necessary. See our Hypercholesterolemia fact sheet.

On a daily basis, some tips to prevent or delay complications

• האָפּקען די מעדיציניש יגזאַמז follow-up recommended by the medical team. An annual check-up is imperative as is an eye exam. It is also important to visit the dentist regularly, as people with diabetes tend to suffer from gum infections.
• רעספּעקט די דיעטע פּלאַן established with physician or nutrition specialist.
• Do a physical activity of at least 30 minutes, ideally every day.
• טוה נישט צו רייכערן.
• צו טרינקען אַ פּלאַץ פון וואַסער in case of illness, for example, if you have the flu. This replaces lost fluids and can prevent diabetic coma.
• האָבן אַ דינסט פֿיס היגיענע and examine them וואָכעדיק. For example, observe the skin between the toes: look for any change in color or appearance (redness, scaly skin, blisters, ulcers, calluses). Inform your doctor of the noted changes. Diabetes can cause numbness in the feet. As mentioned earlier, small, poorly treated problems can escalate into serious infections.
• Doctors have long recommended that people with diabetes aged 40 and over take a low dose ofאַספּירין (acetylsalicylic acid) every day to maintain a healthy heart and blood vessels. The main goal was to reduce the risk of a heart attack. Since June 2011, the Canadian Cardiovascular Society has advised against aspirin as a preventive measure, as much for diabetics as for non-diabetics¹⁰. It has been evaluated that the daily intake of aspirin is not worth it, given its very low effectiveness in prevention and the undesirable effects which can be associated with it. In fact, aspirin carries a risk of digestive bleeding and hemorrhagic cerebrovascular accident (stroke).

  Talk to your doctor if necessary.

  Note that the Canadian Cardiovascular Society continues to recommend the daily low dose of aspirin for people who have had a previous heart attack or stroke (caused by a blood clot), in the hopes of avoiding recurrence.