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Other Health Problems of Unmanaged Diabetes
Other Health Problems of Unmanaged DiabetesWhen you have Type 2 Diabetes, high blood glucose can affect the health of many parts of your body,including your dental health, bladder health and sexual health, leading to serious long term problems that cangreatly affect your life.Glucose, a form of sugar, travels through your bloodstream to all parts of your body. But it can also be found inyour saliva. High levels of glucose in your saliva can lead to the formation of plaque on your teeth and causegum disease, bad breath, tooth decay, cavities and eventually tooth loss.Uncontrolled blood glucose levels can make gum disease more severe and infections can take longer to heal.At the same time, gum disease can make it harder to manage diabetes because oral infections may raiseblood glucose levels.To protect your dental health, take action to keep your blood glucose in a healthy range.Brush your teeth at least twice a day using a soft bristle toothbrush for at least 3 minutes per brushing. Andfloss at least once a day.See your dentist every 6 months to have your teeth and gums cleaned and checked. But if at any time it lookslike your gums are: red, swollen, tender, or bleeding contact your dentist and make an appointment to haveyour teeth and gums looked at.It is better to treat problems as soon as possible - before they have a chance to develop into something moreserious.High blood glucose levels can also affect the health of your bladder and urinary tract. In fact, people withdiabetes have a greater risk of urinary tract infections or UTI’s. If left untreated, UTI’s can move into yourkidneys.Symptoms of a Urinary Tract Infection include: pain or burning when you urinate, feeling like you have tourinate all the time even though no urine may come out, cloudy or dark colored urine, blood in your urine, painin your lower back, and fever.You may also notice that your blood glucose levels are higher than normal even though you have followed yourmanagement plan.If you experience any of these symptoms, call your diabetes care team to get the treatment you need.And finally, high blood glucose can affect the sexual health of both women and men.In women, vaginal infections can develop so tell your diabetes care team about any unusual discharge anditching.And in men, high blood glucose levels can lead to erectile dysfunction or impotence.Sexual dysfunction can be uncomfortable to talk about, but is an important part of leading a healthy life.This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.HCDB1006696 EN OtherHealthProblemsOfUnmanagedDiabetes.pdf© The Wellness NetworkPage 1 of 2Other Health Problems of Unmanaged DiabetesTell your diabetes care team if you notice any of the following: a decrease in sexual desire, arousal or ability toachieve orgasm, impotence in men, and vaginal dryness or infections in women.There are many possible causes of sexual dysfunction and a variety of management strategies. Keeping yourblood glucose in your target range is a good place to start, and may slow or reverse the development of suchdifficulties.High blood glucose levels over time can affect your dental health, bladder health and sexual health. But thereare steps you can take to protect your health and prevent or delay these problems.Follow your management plan to keep your blood glucose in a healthy range.Meet with your diabetes care team on a regular basis to review your blood glucose results. At eachappointment make sure your diabetes care team checks for any long term health problems diabetes maycause.Between visits, if you do notice any signs or symptoms of these health problems, make an appointment tomeet with your diabetes care team right away. Do not ignore them! Instead, get the treatment you need toprotect your body, before a manageable problem becomes more serious.This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.HCDB1006696 EN OtherHealthProblemsOfUnmanagedDiabetes.pdf© The Wellness NetworkPage 2 of 2
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