10 Things to Ask Your Doctor After Starting a New Diabetes Treatment

After

you have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, it is only natural to feel a little confused as to what to do next. The best way to do this is to consult your doctor, who can allay all the fears and help you with the new diabetes treatment plan, explaining what symptoms, side effects, and drug interactions to expect and how to measure blood sugar levels, so that you are well prepared. Starting a new diabetes treatment may seem tough, so you must ask all the right questions. Here is what you must discuss with your doctor.

What are the side effects of the medication?

A few diabetes control medicines can lead to potential side effects like:

• Nausea
• Diarrhoea
• Vomiting
• Stomach ache
• Metallic taste in your mouth

And so, if you have been experiencing any of these soon after starting the treatment, make sure to speak with your doctor to figure out how to treat these.

Will my blood sugar levels be okay?

Your doctor can help you establish your target blood sugar levels. Studies say blood sugar level targets depend on whether you are in one of the two states:

• Fasting: This is measured eight hours after eating food; the target blood sugar level should be 80–130 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).
• After eating: It is measured an hour or two after starting to eat, the target blood sugar level should be less than 180 mg/dL.

And so, it is important to regularly monitor your sugar levels and share the results with your doctor.

How often should I check my sugar levels?

Your doctor can let you know how often you need to check your glucose levels, as this always depends on your treatment goals, needs, and plan. They may recommend checking your levels before or after meals, exercise, and sleep. When you begin a new treatment, the doctor would ask you to check more often daily, but the intensity reduces slowly.

How should I change my diet and workout plans?

For managing diabetes, it is important to take care of your diet and exercise. Consult with the doctor every three months to determine whether your present plans are good for your condition. According to the American Heart Association, foods like grapefruit, a few cheeses, alcohol, and licorice can interact with some diabetes medicines.

How often should I check blood pressure and cholesterol levels?

If you have diabetes, it is important to maintain blood lipids and blood pressure levels as an important part of any good diabetes treatment plan. According to experts, diabetes can lower HDL or good cholesterol and increase LDL and triglycerides. You should get your cholesterol and blood pressure levels checked every three to 6 months.

Should I check my feet often?

Doctors say diabetes can worsen your foot health, as it causes nerve damage, foot deformities, foot ulcers that do not heal, and blood vessel damage that causes poor blood flow. Every time you visit your doctor, get a comprehensive foot exam.

Should I get my kidneys checked?

According to experts, uncontrolled blood sugar leads to kidney damage over time. And so, it is important to know from your doctor about getting a urinalysis within three months of when you start the diabetes treatment.

How will diabetes impact my life?

Living with diabetes may affect your mental, physical, and emotional well-being. You will need to change your lifestyle, such as regularly monitoring blood sugar levels. It also increases your chances of developing some health conditions, which include peripheral neuropathy and high blood pressure.

Should I get the A1c levels to see how the numbers improve?

The A1c levels are an important indicator of how well you are able to manage your blood sugar levels, as they measure average blood glucose levels over a period of two to three months. According to doctors, your A1c level should be 7 per cent or less. However, your doctor may want it lower or higher, depending on your age, health status, and other factors.

Will the treatment ever stop?

In a few cases, diabetes treatment can be temporary, and if you follow a few changes in your diet and workouts – leading to weight loss and management, you may be able to stop taking or reduce a few medicines.