Diabetes. Just the word alone conjures up images of Wilford Brimely and his grumpiness talking about his sugar di-a-bee-tus. It is also the disease that ranks #2 on my “I never want to have that disease” list (For you inquisitive and curious people, ALS is #1 on my list). But, you say, diabetes is just high blood sugar. If you control your blood sugar then you are fine. Yes……and no.
Type 1 and Type 2
Both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are complicated diseases that often bring their friends along for the ride. You may have met them. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, neuropathy, vision problems, kidney failure, heart failure, and erectile dysfunction are a few of them. Diabetic care and diabetes management are so much more than just the number of your last A1c.
Management is Key
A good provider that is helping manage your diabetes will be assessing many things to help create a personalized game plan just for you. Key components that go into managing diabetes include assessing currently lifestyle, cultural and socioeconomic context, history of depression/lack of motivation, potential side effects of medications, and the complexity of the regimen that is prescribed. Then, that provider should be asking your preferences and creating a plan with you, not for you. After all, you are the one that is going to be carrying out the plan. There may be some things that patients want that is not possible put in the plan for one reason or another but by working with patients, specific plans to help control diabetes are carried out with much more efficacy.
Diabetic Neuropathy
I see patients with diabetic neuropathy and help them control their neuropathy with a varied array of treatments. I will link to an article below to list some of them. We are now happy to be able to offer diabetes management as well. If this is something you need or would like to see how we could help you improve the control over your diabetes/diabetic neuropathy, call and make an appointment with us today.