If you have diabetes, take care of yourself at home and have regular checkups. During your visit to the doctor, your doctor will examine your body to try to identify any problems that may exist so that they can be treated in time before they become serious. Most problems that are found in time can be controlled with diet, exercise or medication. Here is a checklist for people with diabetes.
Glycosylated hemoglobin level testing
The glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) test provides a blood test to see how your blood sugar has been over the past 2 to 3 months to better understand how your disease is progressing. Although it may be tested daily, this only shows what is happening at that time. the HbA1c test results are presented as a percentage, with higher percentages indicating higher blood glucose levels. The goal of control is to get HbA1c levels below 7%. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends that HbA1c levels be tested at least twice a year.
Blood pressure
People with diabetes should have their blood pressure checked regularly at home, and their doctor will take their blood pressure at each visit. In general, the first number on the sphygmomanometer (systolic) should be less than 140 mmHg and the second number (diastolic) should be less than 80 mmHg. If you have high blood pressure but do not manage it well, for example because of a poor lifestyle or use of medications, you may be at increased risk of heart disease or stroke.
Cholesterol and triglycerides
If cholesterol and triglycerides collect in the arteries, they can lead to heart disease and stroke. Doctors want patients to have their blood checked at least once a year for three types of fats, including high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglycerides. LDL-C levels should be less than 100 mg/dL and triglyceride levels should be less than 150 mg/dL. HDL-C levels should be higher than 40 mg/dL for men and 50 mg/dL for women. In addition, high blood sugar can lead to elevated cholesterol. Therefore, it is important to talk to your doctor about the levels of these fats in your body and the range of reasonable control.
Kidney function tests
Kidney function tests measure the amount of albumin (or microalbumin) in the urine. If high blood sugar and high blood pressure damage the kidneys, albumin can leak. People with diabetes should have a kidney function test at least once a year. Your doctor may also recommend a GF (glomerular filtration rate) test, which tests whether the kidneys are filtering blood properly.
Foot exam
Physicians perform a thorough examination of the feet of people with diabetes at least 1 time a year. This is because, over time, diabetes can lead to nerve damage that can leave patients without feeling in their feet. If this happens, the patient may not notice cuts, scrapes, or other problems. If these conditions are not treated promptly, they will likely cause bigger problems. Diabetes can also restrict blood flow to the feet, making it more difficult for wounds or infections in the feet to heal.
Weight
Being overweight can be a cause of diabetes and a reason to make it worse. Like checking blood pressure and blood sugar, patients should also have their weight measured at home. Also, doctors expect patients to measure their weight before each visit to the doctor. In short, blood sugar and blood pressure will be easier to control when weight is under control.
Flu shots and other vaccinations
Most adults should get the flu vaccine each fall. This is especially true if you have diabetes. Diabetes weakens the immune system, making it harder to fight infection. In addition, blood sugar control is more difficult when suffering from other diseases. Your doctor may recommend the pneumococcal vaccine, which protects against infections caused by pneumococcal bacteria, such as pneumonia, meningitis and some ear infections. Other vaccinations that may be needed can be discussed with your doctor, such as:
- Hepatitis B vaccine;
- Pertussis (pertussis, diphtheria, tetanus) vaccine;
- Herpes zoster vaccine;
- Mumps, mumps and rubella vaccine;
- Chickenpox vaccine;
- HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine.
Gum and dental exams
Diabetes can damage the blood vessels in the mouth, which in turn can lead to gum disease and tooth decay. If you have diabetes, let your dentist know and do your oral exams every 6 months to watch for any problems that may arise.
Dilated eye exam
Be sure to let your eye doctor know you have diabetes. The doctor will give eye drops to dilate the pupil and check for any damage to the blood vessels in the eye. This exam should be done every 1 year. The doctor may also perform a retinal exam to examine the eye in detail. If the blood vessels in the eye have been damaged, they should be checked every 2 years or more often.