Your Diabetes Management Team
While diabetes affects the body negatively from head to toe, it can be controlled successfully with guidance and treatment from a team of medical specialists. Knowing who the “team players” are and what they do is essential to making sure that you are always in control of your diabetes. By following your doctors’ recommendations and asking important questions about your care, you will fully understand what it takes to treat and control diabetes.
Primary Care Physician – A family physician or internist plays the important role of coordinator. He or she is often the first doctor one sees after a diabetes diagnosis. He or she makes referrals to other specialists on the treatment team. When choosing a primary care doctor, ask if he or she refers to a podiatrist for diabetes complications in the feet.
Endocrinologist – A specialist to whom you may be sent by the primary care physician. This specialist treats many internal diseases and is often called upon to care for a person with diabetes who is having difficulty controlling the disease.
Podiatrist – Also known as a podiatric physician, podiatrists are uniquely qualified to treat the foot and ankle. Diabetes can limit or restrict nerve function, as well as blood flow to the feet. Because of this problem, patients with diabetes can develop foot complications which may cause amputation if left untreated. If you have diabetes or are at risk for the disease, have a podiatrist check your feet at least twice a year for symptoms, such as a loss of sensation, burning, or tingling.
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Dentist – Patients with diabetes are more susceptible to gum disease and infections in the mouth due to excess blood sugar, so keeping up with regular dental appointments is important. Make sure your dentist knows if you have diabetes and don’t neglect your six-month appointments.
Ophthalmologist/Optometrist – Similar to how diabetes restricts blood flow to the feet, diabetes can also affect blood flow to the eyes, resulting in diabetic eye disease. This condition is highly preventable if the disease is managed properly. You should visit your eye doctor for an exam once a year.
Vascular Surgeon – Diabetes can increase the chances for development of several vascular diseases. Your risk of vascular disease increases with the length of time you have had diabetes, and your risk can increase if you have high blood pressure, if you smoke, are inactive, are overweight, or eat a high-fat diet. Make sure a vascular surgeon is part of your management team.
Pharmacist – Successfully managing diabetes usually requires taking prescription medication. Talk with your pharmacist to ensure you understand the risks of using over-the-counter (OTC) medications with prescribed medications.