Diabetes Matters - online subscriptions are no longer available Winter 2015 | Page 26

well

LIVING

Alan Wright GP

Jacqui Smith CDE

Sandy Havlin CDE

Defy the Odds:

Staying Well with Diabetes
D

iabetes complications are a frightening prospect. For many people, the fear of them can become almost
paralysing. Jacqui Smith was 16 years old when she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. She was told that
amputations, blindness and heart disease would surely be in her future unless she followed the rules. Despite this
heavy news, Jacqui has defied the odds and to this day remains complication free. She, and others like her, are
proof that it is possible to live a healthy life with diabetes. We assembled an expert team to reveal the best plan of
attack for a complication-free future.

What causes complications?
When blood glucose levels, blood cholesterol and blood pressure
(the three Bs) are raised for a long period of time, damage can
occur in blood vessels and nerves.
“Vascular complications occurring in larger arteries can include
coronary disease, stroke, erectile dysfunction and peripheral
artery disease, which can result in foot ulcers. When damage
occurs in the smaller arteries it can result in kidney disease,
diabetes retinopathy and macular degeneration,” said Dr Wright.
“Diabetes complications of the nerves include peripheral nerve
damage, which is the loss of sensation or p Z[