Some people do not like to keep their doctor appointments. They either see them as an encroachment on their time or they fear the doctor may give them a bad report. However, keeping your appointments and following your doctor’s orders can prevent you from getting a bad report. This post looks at the benefits to be derived from keeping your doctor appointments.
- Keeping your doctor appointments is key to diagnosing diabetes while it is still in the early stages. A simple blood test will reveal whether you are developing prediabetes, diabetes, heart disease or some other chronic condition. If your A1C level is 5. 7% to 6 . 4% you are at the prediabetes level; if it’s 6. 5% or higher, you have diabetes. A normal A1C is less than 5 . 7%. It’s much better to discover something is wrong during your annual visit than to wait until you are so sick that you have to be taken to the emergency room.
- Your annual wellness visit also gives you the opportunity to discuss with your doctor any changes in your symptoms. Type 2 diabetes can lead to other chronic illnesses such as kidney disease, eye disease, a weakened immune system, or an infection. This may be the time for your doctor to refer you to any specialists depending on your report and his findings. A nutritionist can help with your diet, which can go a long way in controlling your diabetes.
- Are you happy with your medications? Are they working as you would like them to? Are you experiencing side effects? These are some questions your doctor may ask during your annual wellness visit. You may be taking your medications as prescribed and still have glucose levels that are too high. Also, if you have concerns about sticking your finger to monitor your sugar, you may want to ask your doctor about how you can get a continuous glucose monitor (CGM).
CGMs test blood sugar levels and send out an alarm when your sugar is high. If you have trouble reaching and maintaining your target blood sugar you may benefit from a CGM. However, bear in mind that if you are managing your diabetes well without a CGM, your insurance may not cover it—they might consider it a non-necessity.
Diabetes is a serious illness that can affect your kidneys, your eyes and other organs, and even lead to amputations, therefore, you owe it to yourself to keep those doctor appointments so your doctor can ensure that you are managing your illness in the best way possible. It’s fine to take your medications, and make healthy lifestyle changes, but in the final analysis, you need to remain under the watchful eyes of your doctor and your healthcare team so they can spot problems as soon as they occur and deal with them.
A diagnosis of type 2 diabetes can send your life into a tailspin. It can leave you feeling alone and overwhelmed, but it doesn’t have to. Join my type 2 diabetes network group and get the help and support you need.
