What Is Considered Uncontrolled Diabetes?

Diabetics (types I and II) can live normal, healthy and productive lives if glucose, diet and other aspects of this disease are managed properly. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, hypertension, nerve damage, poor healing injuries, poor vision, frequent hospitalizations, coma and even death.

Glucose Level

• Consistently or chronically maintaining a glucose of greater that 200 constitutes poorly managed diabetes. Checking your glucose level sporadically also constitutes poor control.

Diet

• Eating and drinking whatever satisfies, regardless of the consequences, constitutes poor control of diabetes.

Exercise

• Very little or no quality exercise is detrimental to the diabetic. The type I or II diabetic will require more insulin to offset the energy he is not expending. The type II diabetic may need to increase his oral medications until he gets to the point where he needs injections.

Gain Knowledge

• A diabetic must become her own expert by studying as much information about diabetes as possible, in addition to relying on her health care provider, to properly--and successfully--treat diabetes.

Warning

• According to the World Health Organization, one person dies every six seconds from diabetes-related complications. This trend can be reversed through educating diabetics and their families, and helping them follow through with proper care and maintenance.