Treating And Managing Diabetic Macular Edema

Managing Blood Sugar And Blood Pressure

Managing blood sugar and blood pressure may help diabetes patients reduce the risk of developing diabetic macular edema. Patients should aim to adopt a healthy lifestyle to help with this. Fast food, processed food, and saturated fat should be limited, and patients should try to include higher amounts of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables in their diets. Online apps for food logging can help patients become more mindful of their dietary choices, and patients may also wish to consider having a consultation with a nutritionist who specializes in diabetes management.

Doctors recommend patients monitor their blood sugar regularly, and patients can ask for more comfortable blood glucose testing devices if they find glucose tests particularly painful. High blood pressure can make diabetes worse, and doctors frequently suggest patients monitor their blood pressure at home. Patients can purchase automatic blood pressure monitors designed for home use, and some of these will connect to smartphone apps to log measurements automatically. Patients should take blood pressure readings while they are at rest. Measurements taken at home can be compared with readings taken at the doctor's office, and medication to reduce blood pressure may be recommended if readings are consistently high.