There are several kinds of medicines that help to lower blood pressure. One category of medicine that some people with diabetes take to lower blood pressure is called diuretics. These are commonly called “water pills” because they help the body eliminate extra salt and water through the urine. [...]

Both diabetes and arthritis are chronic diseases. As you age, your chances for having chronic diseases increases. As we get older, most of us also tend to get heavier. This extra weight can put a lot of stress on your joints. [...]

As a woman with diabetes, you may have wondered how diabetes will affect your menopause, and how menopause may affect your diabetes. You may also have questions about taking hormones. [...]

If you have diabetes and arthritis, you may wonder if these two are related. Both diabetes and arthritis are chronic diseases. As you age, your chances of having chronic diseases increases. Also, as we get older, many of us tend to gain more weight. This extra weight adds stress on your joints, which can lead to inflammation and can lead to arthritis. [...]

Some people think that leg pain is a part of getting older. But you might be surprised to learn that a type of leg pain caused through exercise that only goes away with rest can be caused by intermittent claudication (IC). IC is a symptom of the hardening of arteries and often causes pain in the legs, which can make it hard for a person to walk. [...]

People with diabetes are prone to complications over time. Healthcare providers all agree that strict control of blood sugar puts you at less risk for complications. This was shown clearly by the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial. Control of blood sugar is the best way to lessen your risk of complications. [...]

Untreated diabetes, both type 1 or type 2, can lead to health problems.? Such health problems include heart disease, eye problems, and nerve damage. Making sure your blood sugar levels are in check can prevent such health problems. You can be at higher risk for issues due to your genes, but in the end it is up to you to take control of how you eat and live to lessen your risk of diabetes-related health problems.? If you have diabetes-related health problems, just know that as long as you catch the problems early, treatment can help. [...]

One of the biggest fears among people with diabetes is losing their eyesight. While it is true that diabetes is still a leading cause of blindness, it happens much less often than it did in the past. It is less common because we know more about prevention, it can be detected earlier and the treatments work better than they did before. [...]

You know only too well that when you touch a hot stove, you quickly move your hand away because you feel pain. Likewise, if you step on a nail, your body knows to pick that foot up quickly. Sometimes, when you have pain, you also may notice that your heart rate and breathing get a bit faster, too. All these responses happen thanks to the nerves all over your body that carry messages to and from the brain. [...]

Teeth and gums probably don’t come to mind when you think of diabetes problems. But people with diabetes whose blood glucose is too high for too long have a greater chance of developing dental problems than people without diabetes. Learning how to care for your teeth and gums can help prevent problems before they start. [...]

When Mary, aged 50, found out from her nurse practitioner that she had type 2 diabetes, she was actually relieved. It helped explain the symptoms—tiredness, hunger and a vaginal yeast infection—that wouldn’t go away. The nurse practitioner encouraged Mary to lose a few pounds, become more active and return for a follow-up visit in three months. [...]

Blood glucose that’s higher than normal for many years can cause a slow loss of vision and blindness. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA) poorly controlled blood glucose causes more than 10,000 people each year to become blind. However, there is good news. A few simple steps taken each day and an eye examination once a year can help reduce your chances of losing all or part of your vision. [...]