Because your total care is a complicated process, it is important that you take the time to learn as much as possible about diabetes management and be sure to take full advantage of the entire healthcare team that is available to help you manage your diabetes. The whole healthcare team includes:
- Your doctor. It is important to have a good trusting relationship with your doctor. Your doctor is responsible for gathering all your health information making sure your are well taken care of.
- A specialist, an endocrinologist or an internist. A diabetes specialist can make certain all aspects of your diabetes are addressed.
- A diabetes nurse educator. Nurse educators are very gifted at helping you to understand all aspects of your diabetes care and taking the time to explain things clearly.
- A dietitian. A good diet is critical to an effective diabetes management strategy. Dieticians can make the appropriate recommendations and keep you on track.
These are the most important people. There is often a need for a number of special helpers. These include:
- Your pharmacist can help clarify the pills you are taking and help you understand the roles of the different medications.
- A foot care specialist. To avoid foot and lower limb complications you should see a foot care specialist regularly as well as checking your own feet yourself everyday.
- An ophthalmologist or an eye doctor. The problems that occur with the eyes associated with diabetes don’ always appear as an immediate impairment of vision. Therefore it is important to have regular eye check-ups. If there is evidence of eye damage, laser therapy can be used to halt the progression of the damage and preserve your vision.
- A social worker to help you cope with some of the social problems and perhaps even a psychologist because it is often difficult for you and your family to cope with this disease. Sometimes it can actually become somewhat depressing. Therefore, depression sometimes needs professional help.