Diagnosing Diabetes

Female 1: When you or your child has diabetes, it is important to receive good medical care, but that first doctor’s visit can be a little overwhelming. What should you expect?

Female 2: No matter your age or the type of diabetes you have been diagnosed with, your physician have a clear goal for the first visit, to bring your blood glucose down to a normal level. Plan to work closely with your doctor to bring your sugar down to between 90 mg/dL and 130 mg/dL before meals. To prepare for your appointment, you want to bring some basic items including all the medications you take regularly. If you have already begun testing glucose levels, take your test notes and your glucose monitor. It will help to have a notepad and pen for jutting down questions during your visit. Do not hesitate to ask your doctor if you are confused or concerned about any aspect of your diabetes. Whether you have Type I or Type II diabetes, your doctor will begin by taking a detailed medical history. Be ready to answer questions about past illnesses, family health and your eating and exercise habits. If your child has diabetes, you might want to consider going over this at an earlier visit without him there.

Next, your doctor will perform a routine physical examination. If you will reassure that this will be a much like a standard check up. Following the examination, you will need to give your blood and urine samples. This will assess your levels of cholesterol, fat, blood glucose and urine protein. A painless electrocardiogram or EKG maybe administered to check the heart. At the end of your visit, your doctor will create a diabetes care plan to effectively manage the disease. This individualized plan should take into account your daily schedule, eating and exercise habits and cultural background. Your plan should detail the medications you will need to lower your blood glucose and the tools you will use to measure your sugar levels like a glucose meter. The plan will also lay out lifestyle changes you may need to make like adapting healthier eating habits, taking up exercise or cutting out cigarettes.

Your doctor may want to refer you to other individuals who will aid you with specialize aspects of treating diabetes. These people become part of your treatment team. Your team might include a dietician to help you devise an effective eating plan. A registered nurse to teach you about daily living with diabetes and perhaps a psychologist to help you cope with the emotional aspects of living with a life long disease. Expect the schedule subsequent visits every three to six months. Although you may need more frequent appointments in the beginning, by working closely with your doctor, you will be able to control your sugar and return to health.

Female 1: You want to learn more? Check out other videos and sources on this site for more information.




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