Tools of the Trade
Tools of the trade
Hi this is Geri. I hoped you enjoyed the little history lesson on diabetes. I want to be as easy to understand as possible. Many people have pre-diabetes for years before they are formally diagnosed.
If your doctor says you have pre-diabetes; with life-style changes many can avoid the disease all together.
If you have the symptoms of increased thirst, appetite, weight gain or loss, and vision changes the first thing to do is make an appointment with your primary care physician.
Depending on the doctor and your insurance he or she might take over your diabetes care or send you to a specialist called an ‘Endocrinologist’. Please go to your first visit ‘fasting, i.e. no food or drink since midnight. The doctor will want to do some lab tests, including a fasting blood sugar, an A1C (this test will tell how high your blood glucose has been for the past three months) and some kidney function tests.
If you have access to a computer, read a little on diabetes and write down your questions. Don’t rely on memory.
During the visit, if you are tested positive, the doctor will ensure you have an accu check machine or a blood glucose monitor. This machine will become your life line, ensuring how well you will be able to keep your diabetes under control.
Today’s blood glucose machine is not a ball and chain; many are very small, fitting into sports pockets and purses. Various machines allow you to take blood from other areas of your body avoiding sore fingertips. They are highly affordable enabling you to keep one with you and one at bedside.
The kit usually contains, blood check strips, monitor, and a finger pricking device. There will usually be a pocket in the back for a log to write down your results.
Most all insurances will pay for a monitor including Medicare. If you are uninsured, many pharmaceutical companies offer machines free of charge if you use their strips and finger sticks.
Read the directions thoroughly. Play with the machine enabling you to use it with ease.
See you all next week for other aspects of diabetes care.
‘
Hi this is Geri. I hoped you enjoyed the little history lesson on diabetes. I want to be as easy to understand as possible. Many people have pre-diabetes for years before they are formally diagnosed.
If your doctor says you have pre-diabetes; with life-style changes many can avoid the disease all together.
If you have the symptoms of increased thirst, appetite, weight gain or loss, and vision changes the first thing to do is make an appointment with your primary care physician.
Depending on the doctor and your insurance he or she might take over your diabetes care or send you to a specialist called an ‘Endocrinologist’. Please go to your first visit ‘fasting, i.e. no food or drink since midnight. The doctor will want to do some lab tests, including a fasting blood sugar, an A1C (this test will tell how high your blood glucose has been for the past three months) and some kidney function tests.
If you have access to a computer, read a little on diabetes and write down your questions. Don’t rely on memory.
During the visit, if you are tested positive, the doctor will ensure you have an accu check machine or a blood glucose monitor. This machine will become your life line, ensuring how well you will be able to keep your diabetes under control.
Today’s blood glucose machine is not a ball and chain; many are very small, fitting into sports pockets and purses. Various machines allow you to take blood from other areas of your body avoiding sore fingertips. They are highly affordable enabling you to keep one with you and one at bedside.
The kit usually contains, blood check strips, monitor, and a finger pricking device. There will usually be a pocket in the back for a log to write down your results.
Most all insurances will pay for a monitor including Medicare. If you are uninsured, many pharmaceutical companies offer machines free of charge if you use their strips and finger sticks.
Read the directions thoroughly. Play with the machine enabling you to use it with ease.
See you all next week for other aspects of diabetes care.
‘
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