If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, either type 1 or type 2, keeping track of the potential complications from this disease can be just as difficult as managing it. While keeping your blood sugar balanced, you also have to monitor your hearing, eyesight, weight, circulation, and even the density of your bones.

Diabetes and brittle bones

A new study from the South Texas Spinal Clinic reported a link between a loss of bone density and diabetes. Blood with too much glucose flows through the bones, which then corrode because of that sugar. A person without diabetes doesn’t have an increased amount of glucose in their blood, so their bones stay healthier for longer.

Diabetics can receive bone scans to see how great their risk for bone breaks are. If your bones are brittle or weaker than normal, you have a higher risk of fracturing or breaking your bones. Diabetes can affect bones all over your body, thus increasing your risk for breaking vertebra or hips as they age.

Managing complications

Managing your risk of bone loss is essential if you have diabetes. Doctors recommend doing bone scans earlier if you have been diagnosed with diabetes. You may also be able to make some dietary changes to prevent additional bone loss over time. If you are diabetic and may be at risk of bone loss, you should check with your doctor and create a plan to manage any potential osteoporosis that may occur.

Diet and moderate exercise can help strengthen bones, in addition to proper management of your disease. Taking care of your body can lessen the number of complications from diabetes, either type 1 or type 2, that you experience.