Jayne Dough

We all know that diabetics have an increased risk of everything from heart disease to kidney disease to glaucoma. Because of this increased risk, it is very important for diabetics to have regular checkups in many fields. Personally, I am always scheduling appointments for one thing or another. My main appointments include the following:

1) Of course, my ENDO: I go every 3 to 4 months to the endocrinologist. Every visit I get my A1c results. Every other visit, my cholesterol and lipid panel are checked. Once a year, I evaluate my kidney function with a 24 hour urine. My thyroid and potassium levels are watched. I get new prescriptions every time I go no matter if the old ones are good or not. I check out new techniques and case studies just to stay involved.

2) Eye doctor: At least once a year I get a complete eye exam. I'm forced to go in to fill contact prescriptions. But as a diabetic, I realize the importance of these exams no matter if my vision is 20/20 or not. Vessels must be checked. Eye pressure must be documented. Even the slightest vision changes are important (and often reflective of the results you get from the endo).

3) Dentist: Every human being should get their teeth cleaned every six months. Diabetics need to be SURE to get that dental checkup twice a year. To avoid periodontal disease or any other mouth problem, I schedule regular dental cleanings every six months nearly to the day. I get at least an annual X-ray to check for cavities and bone mass changes in my jaw. It's important to notice the daily changes in your gums and teeth too because even a bi-annual checkup can't guarantee anything. They do greatly help prevent things though.

4) Regular Exams: This applies to any specialist that prescribes medication to me. Whether it be the neurologist for migraine medicine or the OBGYN for birth control or the rheumatologist for arthritis medication, I believe these specialists need to be seen regularly in order to stay on top of the medicines I take. These meds can have a great impact on blood sugar and eating habits. The decreased or increased pain/effectiveness can greatly affect my blood sugar. Plus it's always good to learn if they can find alternative treatments for the condition to avoid those changes in appetite or blood sugar levels.

These are my personal suggestions and the ways I care for my body as a diabetic. Others may agree or disagree. And I am always willing to hear any input on the topic.