Q: Which specialist doctor to consult for Diabetes?
A: We must consult a diabetologist for diabetes. Diabetologists are generally endocrinologists with a special interest in diabetes.
Q: What should my blood glucose level be?
A: If you have diabetes, the most important thing you can do is keep your blood glucose level within the target range recommended by your healthcare provider. In general, these targets are:
Q: Does eating sugary foods cause diabetes?
A: Sugar does not directly cause diabetes. Eating foods high in sugar content can lead to weight gain, which is a risk factor for developing diabetes. Eating more sugar than recommended – American Heart Association (AHA) recommends no more than six teaspoons a day (25 grams) for women and nine teaspoons (36 grams) for men leads to all kinds of health hazards in addition to weight gain.
Q: Can diabetes be prevented?
A: Although diabetes risk factors like family history and race cannot be changed, there are other risk factors that can be controlled. Adopting healthy lifestyle habits can modify these risk factors and help to decrease the chances of getting diabetes.
Q: How often do I visit my doctor?
A: If you are being treated with insulin shots, you should see your doctor at least every three to four months. If you are treated with pills or are managing diabetes through diet, you should be seen at least every four to six months. More frequent visits may be needed if your blood sugar is not controlled or if complications of diabetes are worsening.
Q: What are foods that help to balance blood sugar levels?
A: The glycemic index (GI) measures the effects of specific foods on blood sugar levels. People looking to control their blood sugar levels should pick foods with low or medium GI scores. Those foods are low wheat bread, most fruits except pineapples and melons have low GI scores of 55 or less; sweet potatoes and yam; oatmeal; nuts; legumes; yogurt and cold-water fish.
