Type 1 Diabetes: Living With Complications

You can slow the progression of your complication from type 1 diabetes and prevent or delay other complications by keeping your blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible.

• Keeping your blood sugar at normal or near-normal levels (tight control) may prevent the development and progression of small blood vessel disease and nerve disease (neuropathy).
• Tight control of blood sugar may reduce your risk of heart and large blood vessel disease from diabetes.¹²

You can:

• Have regular eye exams by an ophthalmologist or optometrist, even if you do not have symptoms. Immediately report any symptoms, such as blurred vision, floaters, or flashes of light. Early treatment can prevent vision loss.
• Detect kidney disease early by having your urine tested for small amounts of protein (microalbuminuria). At the first sign of microalbuminuria, talk with your health professional about whether you can take a high blood pressure medicine. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are the preferred medicines for people with type 1 diabetes who have microalbuminuria, even if their blood pressure is normal. If you cannot take an ACE inhibitor, your doctor may prescribe an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) to prevent further kidney damage.
• Prevent heart and blood vessel problems by getting effective treatment for high blood pressure and high cholesterol.¹² You can take aspirin if you've had a heart attack or stroke, have peripheral arterial disease, or are 40 years of age or older and are at risk for these diseases, unless there is a medical reason you shouldn't.¹⁰
• Detect nerve problems through yearly exams that check sensations in your feet and legs. As soon as you notice them, report any symptoms of digestive, sexual, or urinary problems or signs of hypoglycemia unawareness.
• Prevent foot problems by inspecting your feet daily, wearing shoes that fit well, not going barefoot, not using home remedies, and having yearly foot examinations. Talk with your health professional about treatment for even minor problems, such as corns or calluses. Catching problems early prevents minor injuries from turning into major problems.

  Diabetes: Taking care of your feet

Other preventive measures

• Quit smoking. If you quit smoking, you decrease your risk for developing early damage to the blood vessels caused by diabetes.¹¹ For more information, see the topic Quitting Tobacco Use.
• Keep your immunizations up to date. Diabetes affects your immune system, increasing your risk for having a serious case of the flu or pneumonia. Ask your health professional if you should have a flu vaccination. For more information, see the topic Immunizations.