Type 2 diabetes is a serious issue that can give you long-term health issues if left untreated. Having a regular checkup with your doctor helps you to know your body’s sugar levels and also reduces the risks in the future.Â
You don’t want to worry about having diabetes. In this blog, you will learn how to control your sugar level and what times you need to meet your doctor.
How often should you see your doctor if you are a type 2 diabetic?
If you are a type 2 diabetic, it is necessary for you to visit your doctor once every 3 to 6 months. However, it is best to follow the doctor’s instructions and visit them as often as they recommend.
The frequency of your doctor visits majorly depends on your diabetic condition and whether you have any complications. Your doctor will do the necessary tests and determine the frequency of your visits.
The Initial Stage of Diagnosis
Here are some common steps that you want to undergo during the starting stage of diagnosis.
An initial visit: On day 1, you will undergo physical tests, and your medical history will be collected. You will also undergo a basic blood test to confirm your diabetes.
Review in the first week: Your tests will be reviewed and analyzed to know your cholesterol level, kidney function, insulin production, and whether you are affected by type 1 diabetes.
Tests within the month: The next level of tests will be done to analyze your eye level, foot examination, and urine test. Taking these tests helps your doctor confirm the diagnosis and give treatments accordingly.
Monthly, quarterly, and annual tests: You need to check your blood glucose level every day so that you can monitor your sugar level.
Every 3 to 6 months, you should take the HbA1c test, which helps monitor your blood glucose level.
Annually, you should have a full-body checkup to avoid risks in the future.
Checkup Routine
After completing your early diagnosis process, you should have regular checkups as per your doctor’s advice.
Every 3 to 6 months
HbA1c (Glycated haemoglobin) is a test that is used to measure your blood glucose level. This routine should be done every 3 months after newly diagnosed. The test will be taken by the nurse.
Every 6 months
A lipid test is used to analyze the cholesterol level in your body. If your cholesterol level increases then it will cause a risk to your body and also increase your sugar level. So, it is essential to do this test and measure your cholesterol levels.
Annual checkups
Once a year you should check your kidney functioning process, foot examination and eye checkup to prevent future risks. Twice a year, you have to check your dental level and clean your teeth and gums to avoid any other oral issues. You can also take vaccination if your doctor recommends it.
Blood Sugar Monitoring
There are a few blood sugar monitoring tests that you can undergo to measure your body’s glucose levels.
FBS: FBS (Fasting Blood sugar) test should be taken after the 8 hours of fasting overnight.
PPBS: The PPBS(Postprandial Blood Sugar) test should be taken after the 2 hours of your meal.
RBS: The RBS(Random Blood Sugar) test can be done at any time of the day.
HbA1c: This test is used to measure your blood glucose level control every 3 months.
How To Monitor Your Blood Sugar Level At Home
The blood sugar level can be monitored at home using a tiny sensor that measures your sugar levels. This is known as CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitor). You can also use an electronic device that uses a small drop of blood to measure your blood sugar.
Below are the steps that should be followed to measure your blood sugar levels.
- Make the necessary arrangements for the test.
- Wash your hands with clean water.
- You should insert the test strips into the glucose meter.
- A spring will be loaded into the lancet.
- Press the lancet on your fingertip to prick a blood drop.
- Clean your finger with an alcohol swab.
- The test meter will show the readings.
- Use a logbook to note your readings, including the date, time, test results, and dosage you have taken.
- Mention your diet plan and exercise in the logbook.
Lifestyle Factors Followed by Diabetes Patients
Many diabetic patients may be overcome with this doubt of whether diabetes will be cured permanently. A proper lifestyle and following doctor’s instructions are imperative to to control blood sugar and lead a healthy life.
Below are some lifestyle changes you should make if you are a diabetic patient.
Eat healthy foods
Start eating a healthy meal and avoid junk food. You can prepare a diet chart and follow it regularly for a healthy lifestyle. This is a sample diet chart that could be useful for you. Refer your doctor for confirmation.
Sample diet chart for diabetes:
Carbohydrates | Whole grains, vegetables |
Proteins | Chicken, fish, beans |
Healthy Fats | Nuts, avocados |
Fibre | Fruits, vegetables |
Regular exercise
Doing regular exercise will change your overall lifestyle factors, such as reducing stress, maintaining a proper weight, strengthening your bones and muscles, and controlling your sugar and cholesterol levels. Spending 30 minutes to 2 hours for daily exercise will help you lead a healthy and a fit lifestyle.
Some simple exercises that can be followed in your daily routine are:
- Aerobic exercises
- Resistance exercises
- Flexibility exercises
- Balanced exercises
Medical supplements and checkups
Taking regular medicines given by your diabetologist will help reduce your sugar levels. Regular checkups and treatments at the proper time will reduce the risk in future.
Other lifestyle factors are
- Doing meditation and yoga
- Avoid the consumption of drugs
- Stress management
- Maintain 7 to 8 hours of sleep
Special Considerations for Pregnancy and Elderly Diabetes Patients
Diabetes that occurs in pregnant women is known as gestational diabetes, where your body will not produce enough insulin to control the sugar level.
Patients aged 60 and above should meet the diabetologist frequently to manage their medications and analyze and monitor their sugar level, kidney disease, lipid examination, eye tests, oral disease, and foot examination.
What are the signs of Emergency Diabetes?
Several problems may occur at the time of emergency diabetes, so you must see your diabetologist when you have this particular symptom.
- Increase in sugar level.
- Dryness in mouth
- Heavy thirst and more hunger
- Body dehydration
- Frequent urination
- Dryness in skin
- Heavy fever
- Drowsiness
- Weaker body
Better results always come from the best place. So, you can trust yourself first by following the medications given by your diabetologist.
Conclusion
To manage diabetes at a good level, you should often visit your doctor and follow up on the medications they give. The overall health condition of the diabetes patient varies from person to person. So you should follow the proper diet and exercise to keep yourself healthy and fit.
FAQs
1. What is the purpose of taking the HbA1C test?
It helps to measure the sugar level in your body. The diabetes patient should take this test once in 3 months to know the sugar level in the blood as this test will be taken by the nurses in the hospitals.
2. How often should the type 2 diabetes patients visit the doctor?
Type 2 diabetes patients should visit the doctor once every 3 to 4 months after their diagnosis period to have regular checkups and get suggestions from the doctor.
