Complications of diabetes

Interesting,I didn't know high blood sugars had an effect on the skin-could explain why I'm scratching my skin off in sheets because it's so itchy and dry!!
Here's hoping that BG control will eventually sort all that out!

If Bg is kept at non-diabetic levels, complications rarely occur.If you keep to HbA1c of around 7[ whatever the new number is]Which the medical profession call *Good Control*. You can't be sure of avoiding complications. Latest thinking is that it's spikes which cause complications, so you need to avoid spiking above 7.7 after meals. Consistent non-diabetic level blood sugars have been known to improve existing complications.
there was a story in a Scottish newspaper a few years ago about a patient scheduled for a leg amputation, whose condition was improved by strict low carb diet to the extent that the surgery wasn't necessary.
I myself had retinopathy at diagnosis, which was graded *mild to moderate*. Last 3 retinal scans were rated Background and not needing treatment
My T1 husband has stage 5 kidney disease which is now not deteriorating, because he's tightened his BG control to Hb A1c about 6.4% and cut back on carbs to reduce spiking. If the kidney disease had continued to worsen, he'd be on dialysis by now.
Hana

Simple,

Certainly keeping tight control from the start will lessen the chances of future complications but there are no guarantees much like most things in life. I had diabetic retinopathy for 5 years which needed laser and surgical intervention, over the last 6 years my eyes have been trouble free and my sight has strangely improved, so in some respects it's never to late to take the bull by the horns

I was talking with a type 1 diabetic on Monday who has had diabetes for 45 years, he was saying that he has not had any complications in this time and usually returns an hba1c between 7-7.5, you can and should lead a full and active life with diabetes and keeping bg in check will ultimately help you to achieve this.