Instructed in visiting an ophthalmologist, an MD who specializes in eye care inmediately if there are any of these symptoms of eye damage: blurred or double vision, narrowed field of vision, seeing dark spots, feeling of pressure or pain in the eyes and difficulty seeing in dim light.
Instructed in possible complications of diabetes such as kidney disease. The early kidney damage has no symptoms. However, a blood test is now available to detect diabetic kidney damage at an early stage when it is still reversible. This is called the microalbumin test.
Instructed that alcohol may lower glucose levels and therefore should be avoided.
Instructed in how to list possible causes of high blood sugars: excess food, insufficient insulin, lack of exercise, stress, infection or fever.
Instructed in how to recognize signs and symptoms of high blood sugar such as frequent urination, excessive thirst, headache, weakness, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, etc.
Instructed in knowing what to do if symptoms of high blood sugar occur: contact physician or go to emergency room.
Instructed in knowing what to do if symptoms of low blood sugar occur: eat some form of glucose or carbohydrate, notify physician or go to emergency room if symptoms persist.
Instructed in possible complications of diabetes such as kidney and bladder disorders, strokes, heart disorders, eye complications, peripheral vascular disorders, nervous system disorders.
Instructed in how to recognize signs and symptoms of diabetes such as excesive thirst, fatigue, increased urination, increased appetite, slow healing wounds, itching, changes in vision, weight loos.
Instructed in measures important in management of diabetes mellitus: follow prescribed diabetic diet, see physician, dentist, and eye doctor regulary, take medications as ordered, exercise regularly.
