Why Diabetics Must Regularly Check with the Doctor?

Consulting a doctor regularly is an important part that must be done by people with diabetes to ensure blood sugar is within normal limits. In addition, an examination with this doctor also has a number of other benefits. Anything? Check out the full explanation below.
Reason Diabetics Must Be Routine Consult a doctor
In general, endocrinologists recommend Routine check-ups are an important part of diabetes care.
However, routine control to the doctor is still considered trivial by people who have just received a diabetes diagnosis.
The following are some of the reasons it is important to regularly visit a doctor for diabetes, including:
1. Monitoring Overall Health
Too much or too little sugar in the blood vessels can cause problems in the body.
If left untreated, in the long run this condition will cause damage to body tissues and endanger vital organs.
During routine check-ups, the doctor will generally do several blood tests, including HbA1c which measures the average blood sugar over 3 months.
In addition, the doctor will also measure blood cholesterol levels and blood pressure to prevent the risk of heart disease complications, such as heart attacks and strokes. This examination is important because people with diabetes have a higher risk of developing heart disease.
With routine checks, the doctor can find out the condition of your organs more thoroughly. When you know this, your doctor can help you make the right treatment plan and reduce the risk of complications.
Also Read: Alert, These are 9 Long-Term Complications Due to Type 2 Diabetes
2. Adjusting the Effect of Drugs on Blood Sugar
Diabetics generally need to make changes to their lifestyle, including taking medication or injecting insulin regularly to maintain normal blood sugar levels.
The effects of drugs or insulin on each individual are definitely different, therefore seeing the effects of drugs on the body is an important part when carrying out routine controls with a doctor.
When the patient’s body has problems with the drug given, the doctor will change the drug or make an adjustment in the dose so that the drug can be accepted by the body.
3. Prevent and Treat Potential Complications as Early as Possible
Many people with diabetes underestimate the risk of complications. Diabetic complications do not show clear symptoms at first.
Routine check-ups not only help you control diabetes, but can also help detect complications that are not yet showing symptoms.
Common complications from diabetes include:
- Cardiovascular disease.
- Nerve damage.
- Loss of sight.
- Foot problems.
- Kidney problems.
When the management of blood sugar control is good, the risk of complications will also be low.
4. Receive Directions on Self-Care
Diabetes treatment requires changes in diet, exercise, and lifestyle. You can get education about all of this when you visit the doctor. In addition, the doctor will also tell you how to independently examine your feet and eyes.
The doctor will tell you how to avoid foot damage and how to treat it, such as:
- Avoid walking barefoot, both indoors and outdoors.
- Wash your feet regularly using soap and warm water.
- Avoid getting wet feet for too long to prevent fungal infections.
- Make regular observations on the feet whether there are wounds.
Your doctor will advise you to have regular eye exams to protect against possible damage to blood vessels or loss of vision.
You should immediately consult a doctor if you experience:
- Blurry vision.
- Sensitive to light.
- There are black spots on the vision.
Also Read: Tips for Safe Fasting for Diabetics
How often do you need to see a doctor?
The frequency of doctor consultations can depend on the body condition of each individual. Therefore, you should discuss with the main treating doctor about the schedule for this visit. However, the following are generally recommended timeframes:
-
Controlled Diabetes: Consultation Every 4-6 Months.
Someone who only consumes oral medication without insulin injections and whose blood sugar is in the normal range does not need to visit the doctor frequently.
Diabetics who have a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and independently control their blood sugar regularly generally have good control of diabetes.
-
Uncontrolled Diabetes: Consultation Every 3 Months
Diabetics who feel low body energy, experience symptoms of high blood sugar, even symptoms of diabetes complications (tingling or numbness in the hands or feet) should have routine checkups more often.
In the end, living a healthy lifestyle, carrying out self-examination of the body, and consulting a doctor regularly are important to maintain the health of your body.
- Anonymous. Diabetes Control: Why It’s Important. https://www.hopkinsallchildrens.org/Patients-Families/Health-Library/HealthDocNew/Diabetes-Control-Why-It-s-Important. (Accessed January 4, 2023).
- Anonymous. 2019. Diabetes Check – Up: 4 Reasons Follow Up Visits Are Important. https://www.sitarambhartia.org/blog/endocrinology/diabetes-check-up/. (Accessed January 4, 2023).
- Doohan, Brittany. 2021. The Right Medical Care Routine for Type 2 Diabetes. https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/diabetes-type-2/doctor-visits-type-2-diabetes. (Diakes on January 4, 2023).
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