D-Team!
Who are the people in your diabetic neighborhood?
This is an important question that must be answered. Why? Every diabetic should have a team helping them with their diabetes. You have to be proactive with with your management of diabetes. If you have insurance see if they will offer any diabetic services or benefits. Some insurance will offer discounts if you join a gym. Most of this knowledge comes from my own experience from when I was newly diagnosed. I didn’t have anybody around helping me and had to learn everything alone.
You!
You are the most important person in your diabetic neighborhood/team. Your team will depend on you to talk to them honestly and supply information. You can set and reset goals for your treatment with your team members to advise. You will be the one to communicate to all the other members of your neighborhood your emotions as well how your treatment is working. It is vital that you let people on your team know if you are having difficulty with treatments or having side effects of your oral meds. Treatment for a diabetes is very individualized and a diabetic may several adjustments before finding what works for them. Keep the communication open with all of your support team
The Endocrinologist
An Endocrinologist is a doctor that focus on the diagnosis and treatment of metabolic disorders and other conditions that affect the endocrine system, causing abnormal hormone levels and other complications. Diabetes (also called diabetes mellitus), is the most common type of endocrine disorder. They are affectionately known as the “ENDO” to alot of people.
I know there are some diabetics that are happy with their internist/general practioner because that is the person that gave them their diagnoses. It is fine to stay with your internist/general practioner. However, if your blood glucose numbers are not decreasing (< 140 mg/dL) then you should seek the care of an Endocrinologist-”Endo”. What is the difference? An Endo works with diabetics and with all related diabetic issues. They are accustomed to working with challenging cases as well as less complex cases of diabetes. Diabetes therapy is very individualized and can be complex to work with. Even though an internist may know what to do in general with a diabetic patient they may not know how to work with a more challenging case. Not to mention they may not stay abreast of current trends in care for diabetes.
A diabetic doesn’t need to spend 3 years with a doctor:
- whose is not offering treatment that has brought glucose levels down below 140 mg/DL (in the USA) or treating you like a guinea pig test subject.
- shows lack of concern in your process
- will not refer you an Endo because they don’t want to admit failure
- or in some cases have given a wrong diagnosis. (yes sometimes diabetes are diagnosed wrong)
Certified Diabetic Educator
A Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) is a health care professional who is specialized and certified to teach people with diabetes how to manage their condition. The CDE is an invaluable asset to those who need to learn the tools and skills necessary to control their blood sugar and avoid long-term complications. Unlike an endocrinologist, the CDE can spend as much time with a newly diagnosed person as is needed both for educational purposes and emotional support. Formal education and years of practical experience are required, in addition to a formal examination, before a diabetes educator is certified. If you think you may need the help of a CDE click here.
Counselor/Therapist
This is a person that is a trained professional in counseling. As a diabetic, you experience ups and downs that a non diabetic person will not understand. These same non diabetic (family member or not) people may refuse to understand your condition. In either case, you will have to take care of you emotional well being. Don’t think you can keep your emotions bottled up inside. Your emotions do affect your blood glucose levels and management. The better you feel about your situation the better your management. Talk to a therapist/counselor. Try to find a good friend or another diabetic that can help sort out some of your feelings. The online Diabetic community is large,vast, and international. For more information about online diabetic counseling click here.
Diabetic Nurse
Diabetes nurse educators instruct patients and their families about how to effectively manage diabetes. This includes going over the technical aspects of what diabetes is and how to monitor blood glucose levels and take insulin when needed, but also equipping the patient with the information to change personal habits that affect diabetes.
Diabetic Clinics
Diabetes, as a chronic disease, can be very depressing. Therefore the role of the diabetic clinics is not just the science, but also the emotional and psychological support for the patient, particularly during times when this may be feeling low or having a flare-up of complications. The aim of the diabetic clinic is to make sure that all patients with diabetes mellitus have appropriate and adequate treatment. Type 1 diabetics all need insulin replacement injections every day. Type 2 diabetics require a variety of treatments starting with diet, and then leading on to oral medication and may finally require insulin injections as well. Click here to find a clinic in your area.
Diabetic Classes
If you are newly diagnosed or are not knowledgeable about diabetes you should attend diabetic classes. These classes will explain diabetes and how to manage its progression. They discuss nutrition, exercise and all things related to diabetes. Family, friends and caretakers of diabetics are encouraged to attend these classes.
Licensed Dietitian
A registered dietitian (RD) is health care person trained who focuses on proper food and nutrition in order to promote good health. They supervise the preparation and service of food, develop modified diets, participate in research, and educate individuals and groups on good nutritional habits.The goals of dietetians are to provide medical nutritional intervention, and to obtain, safely prepare, and serve and advise on flavorsome, attractive, and nutritious food for patients, groups and communities. Because food is a key part of your diabetes treatment, a dietitian is very important. Your dietitian helps you figure out your food needs based on your weight, lifestyle, medication, and other health goals (such as lowering blood fat levels or blood pressure). Most people do not have a wide knowledge base of general nutrition so talking to an expert would be beneficial to your management.
A nutritionist is a person who advises people on dietary matters relating to health, well-being and optimal nutrition. It should be noted that anyone (whether with or without formal specialized education) can refer to themselves as a nutritionist. There is no regulatory body for nutritionists. Make sure you are being advised properly.
Ophthalmologist
Your eyesight is precious! The most important thing you can do is to have your eyes checked regularly–at least once a year. If you are newly diagnosed, you should have a baseline assessment done. You probably won’t notice the early signs of diabetic retinopathy. When retinopathy is found early, treatment can help keep you from losing your vision. If it’s not treated, retinopathy can cause blindness.
Podiatrist
This is a health professional trained in how to treat feet and problems of the lower legs. Many diabetics do not take good care of the lower legs and feet resulting in amputation. It is important to document any changes with your limbs and feet. If you are looking for a Podiatrist in your area click here.
Dentist
People with diabetes must have good daily oral/dental hygiene and have very regular dental checkups with their dentists and hygienist. High Blood Glucose levels have a numbing effect on the nerves in the teeth and gums. When a person is diagnosed and their levels are lowered they may experience dental pain that was on going but was not able to feel because of the numbing effect.
Personal or Physical Trainer
Losing weight and becoming more physically fit is very important to a Type 2 diabetic. A physical trainer can help you and motivate you to exercise. Talk to your trainer and establish goals for your exercise. If you are not a mobile person you can still exercise. A physical trainer can provide exercises that will suit your body motion.
Several points to ask a potential trainer:
- Ask for their certifications and credentials.
- Ask if they have any experience working with diabetics.
- Ask if they are experience working with people with mobility concerns (if applicable)
- Ask if they are familiar with how to handle hypoglycemic episodes. You may have to train them on how to care for you if your glucose levels should drop.
- Can they counsel you on how to work with your glucose number in relation to losing weight and exercise?
- What is there fee and for how long?
- Where will they train you? Some will make house calls or work at a gym
- If they try and sell you equipment or supplements —-runaway!!!
If you don’t have the financial means to hire a trainer, then become creative. Go to a high school find a local teenager that is fitness buff and hire them show you basic exercise. You may have to keep track of what you are doing but teenagers can be terrific motivators. Tips on how to hire a personal trainer click here.
