There is an old gospel song that says, “Don’t Wait Until the Battle is Over, Shout Now…Because in the end you gonna win.”
That’s my message to you today. Do not wait until January 1st to start eating healthy, exercising, joining the gym, etc. It’s better to start those healthy habits now to avoid complications and irreversible damage in the future.
Chronic disease operates undetected. Diabetes causes inflammation to blood vessels, high blood pressure causes undue stress on the heart, kidneys, and eyes, and high cholesterol causes plaque build up in the vessels, which leads to restrictions in circulation to heart, eyes, kidneys, and feet. These occurrences happen undetected. Symptoms are evident when the condition is advanced. It is best to implement healthy lifestyle changes now before irreversible damage occurs.
But now is the time to be proactive and not reactive. The best place to start is by getting a check up with a healthcare provider. This should be done at least every 6 months unless there are some problems, then it’s every 3 months. The visit should include comprehensive lab work, chemistry profile, A1C, lipid panel (cholesterol), thyroid, and vitamin D level. These baseline labs check different electrolytes and glucose along with kidney tests.
Today, I want to focus on your eyes. There are alarming reports that people with diabetes (PWD) are not getting regular eye exams. Many are experiencing significant vision loss. This is preventable if detected early. You should be referred to an eye specialist for exam. A dilated eye exam is recommended at least every year for screening and more frequently if any problems have been noted such as increased eye pressure (glaucoma), cataracts, or any bleeding behind the eye. The dilated eye exam is essential because the optic nerve can be seen for any potential damage. Pressure measurements alone are not enough. I was diagnosed with normal pressure glaucoma. There was damage to my optic nerve but I had normal eye pressures. It was only detected with a dilated eye exam, where the doctor examined my eyes. That is why I recommend you see a reputable optometrist or ophthalmologist that can detect these conditions before any vision loss occurs. There is still time to schedule your eye appointment before the end of the year.
Most complications from diabetes are preventable but you need to be informed on how to care for yourself. You need a diabetes educator to make managing your diabetes easier. I will work with you to develop a plan of care for you to stay healthy and give you the tools and ongoing support to make that plan a regular part of your life.
So, let’s have a conversation to see how we can work together. Go to bit.ly/chatwithtrinette to set up an appointment.
Don’t want to wait until January 1st. You want to start now so in the end you will win.
Until next time…
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