This content was created on behalf of the advertiser by the foundry at Dotdash Meredith.
You don’t have to manage your type 2 diabetes alone. In fact, working closely with a team of health care providers can give you much-needed guidance and support.
To ensure you’re receiving the best treatment from your care team, it’s essential to practice self-advcacy and ask the right questions–even if you’ve been managing your type 2 diabetes for years.
Here are five questions to ask.
Advancements in technology to manage diabetes have come a long way in recent years, and you may have access to more tools than you did in the past. Blood glucose meters and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices can help you gather data to share with your care team about your blood sugar levels.
Diabetes can lower “good” cholesterol and increase “bad” cholesterol, so keeping an eye on your cholesterol levels and blood pressure is key to reducing your risk of diabetes-related complications such as cardiovascular or kidney disease. Discuss your cholesterol and blood pressure with your doctor regularly and ask if medications to improve your heart health may be right for you.
A healthy eating plan and an active lifestyle are the foundation of diabetes management. Make a habit of routinely discussing your diet, exercise and lifestyle habits with your doctor. They can likely offer guidance on small changes you can make that could have a big impact.
Diabetes is a progressive condition that requires regular management to avoid complications. But the constant monitoring can feel exhausting at times, and you may face challenges in managing your type 2 diabetes that require reassessing your treatment plan. Have open conversations with your doctor about how you are struggling so you can work through challenges together and develop a treatment plan that works for you.
Your diabetes care team can include more than your endocrinologist. Other specialists such as a registered nurse dietitian, a certified diabetes care and education specialist, an exercise specialist, or a mental health professional can be important members of your care team.
Regularly talking with your care team about your struggles and questions can improve the quality of your care. Start the conversation today.
