Diabetes 101: Doctor Visits- A Vital Part of a Diabetic's Lifestyle

Managing Your Diabetes- Doctor Visits

Managing anything is hard work; and diabetes is no exception. I consider it a part time job dealing with all of the adjustments, tweeks, corrections, the spontaneity of life that happens within a day; and how my glucose levels will react to it all. Because everyday with diabetes will keep you on your toes!

So how is a diabetic supposed to properly manage their diabetes? This question has a layered answer, since not one change to your lifestyle can positively affect your glucose levels, alone. But if a diabetic can begin to work on themselves from the inside out; this can get them on the right path to better health!

The first step towards a happier and healthier life with diabetes is scheduling regular doctor visits. This helps in getting to know who will be assisting you in parts of your care, knowing where your glucose levels are, finding out how diabetes is affecting the body, and finding ways to prevent further damage from occurring. This is the ultimate goal for any person with a chronic illness!

There are essential tests that are to be taken every three months, six months, and yearly that your doctor will recommend for you. These tests will help everyone on your medical team to not only see how well your health is doing; but also to make adjustments for the better. The list of your medical team includes, but are not limited to:

• Primary care physician

• Nutritionist

• Specialty doctors (including your endocrinologist)

• Nurse practitioners

How well your health is, is the deciding factor of how frequently your tests are needing to be taken. These tests are requested by a doctor, and are completed by a lab technician via fasting blood, and/or urination; as well as checking out parts of the body by specialty doctors. These tests include:

• Random Glucose tests: These are glucose tests that are taken with a glucose meter, that are able to give glucose results in less than one minute.

• Fasting Blood tests: These are blood tests where you are not able to eat for 8- 12 hours prior, or what doctors call fasting blood sugar. This is the way a doctor can get your 3 month glucose average, or what is known as your Hemoglobin A1C.

• Blood Pressure: High blood pressure, or hypertension and diabetes are co-related. This is because the extra sugar in the blood narrows the arteries, which forces the heart to pump harder than normal.

• Foot Exam: A yearly exam done by your physician to look for calluses, infections, sores, open wounds, thick toenails, etc. Often referred to a podiatrist if the diabetic needs assistance in caring for their feet.

• Neuropathy test: Diabetes can affect the nerves, causing neuropathy. Neuropathy tests are done yearly, and help to determine the levels of pain and sensitivity in the body, including the hands, legs, feet and fingers.

• Eye Tests: For a diabetic, the eyes are some of the first organs to get affected by diabetes. An ophthalmologist will check for glaucoma and other visual problems by dilating the eyes. A diabetic also needs to get their eyesight checked yearly by an optometrist.

• Dentist: It is very important for a diabetic to go to the dentist at least once a year for a dental check up, cleaning, and to make sure their dental hygiene is on the right track to slow down tooth decay and gum disease- a leading issue with all diabetics.

• Urine Test: This test is meant to measure the amounts of ketones, protein, microalbumin (indicates kidney failure), ketoacidosis (indicates high glucose levels), urinary tract infections (indicates high glucose levels), albumin (indicates kidney failure), pregnancy (gestational diabetes), bilirubin (indicates liver damage), and others.

• Cholesterol Profile Test: There is a link between diabetes and high cholesterol, so cholesterol and triglyceride levels are routinely checked. This profile test checks both the levels of a diabetic’s high density lipoprotein (HDL), or the “bad” cholesterol; and low density lipoprotein (LDL) or the “good” cholesterol.

• Reflex Test: This test is to assess how a diabetic’s central and peripheral nervous systems are functioning. The way your muscles respond to stimulation can tell your primary care physician about the health of your brain, spinal cord, and nerves.

These are generalized tests that any diabetic will need to take to ensure their diabetes is well managed, and if there needs to be any adjustments made. Depending on the health of the diabetic; there might be a change of tests and medicines that are needing to be taken.

Your doctors are trained to know how to handle issues with a person who has diabetes. But every person is unique. So why wouldn’t their diabetes be? What works for one diabetic doesn’t mean it will work for you. Get accustomed to taking notes to help clarify any issues that you might be experiencing. Doctors are not mind readers, so it is up to a patient to help inform the doctor of any abnormalities that may come about.

Getting to know all of your doctors, getting all of your tests done regularly, having an open line of communication with your doctor, writing down any questions about your care or prescriptions going over your test results, consistently taking medications that are prescribed to a diabetic- these are crucial steps in knowing where your glucose is at, how your body is reacting to the changes, and how to better manage your health.

Taking care of our body is a team effort within ourselves, and those we surround ourselves with. These are lifestyle changes towards better health. And in the end- that’s all a diabetic could ever ask for!

Stay tuned for a few more onion layers!