The First Visit
Taking good care of your diabetes every day will help keep
your blood sugar from going too high or too low. Taking good
care of your diabetes every day will also help prevent other
health problems that diabetes may cause over the years. When
you have diabetes, it is important that you get good medical
care. Now that it's clear that high blood sugar (glucose)
levels play a role in many complications, your doctor's skill
is more vital than ever.
Many patients in India delay seeing a specialist for diabetes
due to unfounded fears or doubts about what they would be
subjected to.However a visit to a specialist is very important.
Given below is a guide to what to expect on the first visit
to the specialist and what is normal.The list is culled up
to be very comprehensive ,however the needs of each of us
differ as well as the examination methods of doctors.hence
this list may only be treated as an indicative guide and not
a standard reference.
A thorough check up at your first visit includes
Measuring your height and weight
Measuring your pulse and blood pressure
An eye examination,and if necessary refferal to an opthalmologist
for a dilated eye exam
A general examination of your dental health
Thyroid gland check and tests if necessary
Abdominal examination to check your liver and other organs
Examination of your hands and fingers
Examination of your heart and lung sounds through a stethoscope
Examination of your bare feet, and check the sensation and
pulses in your feet
A check of your skin and your reflexes
Take blood and urine samples for tests
If your diagnosis of diabetes was done else where, ask how
and when you were diagnosed with diabetes
Details and results of laboratory tests you had in the past
Details of your eating habits and exercise and weight history
Details about infections you've had
Details of any medicines you might be taking
Details about factors that make you more likely to get heart
disease, such as smoking, high blood pressure, eating and
exercise habits, cholesterol levels, and family history
Details about other medical problems you've had
Information about any one else in your family with diabetes
In women ,information about problems they may have had while
pregnant
Diabetes is a complicated disease. Your doctor alone cannot
be an expert in every area. For this reason, your diabetes
care team may include an eye doctor, nurses, and a dietitian.
Depending on what complications you have, your doctor may
send you to other specialists as well, such as a foot doctor.
Creating a personalised diabetes care plan is an important
part of your first visit. Your diabetes care plan will not
be the same as everyone else's. To work well, the plan must
be adapted to your own life. You need to be involved in devising
your diabetes care plan. Otherwise, it's unlikely that the
plan will fit into your life or that you will understand what
you need to do.
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