BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuType 2 diabetes - what to ask your doctorWhat to ask your provider about diabetes - type 2Type 2 diabetes, once diagnosed, is a lifelong disease that causes a high level of sugar (glucose) in your blood. It can damage your organs. It can also lead to a heart attack or stroke and many other health problems. You can take steps to control your symptoms, prevent damage due to diabetes, and make your life better.Type 2 diabetesType 2 diabetes is a lifelong (chronic) disease in which there is a high level of sugar (glucose) in the blood. Type 2 diabetes is the most common f...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Heart attackMost heart attacks are caused by a blood clot that blocks one of the coronary arteries. The coronary arteries bring blood and oxygen to the heart. ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article StrokeA stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain stops. A stroke is sometimes called a "brain attack. " If blood flow is cut off for longer th...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Below are questions you may want to ask your health care provider to help you take care of your diabetes.Related video goes here for no-HTML5 browsersQuestionsAsk your provider to check the nerves, skin, and pulses in your feet. Also ask these questions:NervesNerve damage that occurs in people with diabetes is called diabetic neuropathy. This condition is a complication of diabetes.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article How often should I check my feet? What should I do when I check them? What problems should I call my provider about? Check my feetDiabetes can damage the nerves and blood vessels in your feet. This damage can cause numbness and reduce feeling in your feet. As a result, your fe...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Who should trim my toenails? Is it OK if I trim them? How should I take care of my feet every day? What type of shoes and socks should I wear? Should I see a foot doctor (podiatrist)?Ask your provider about getting exercise, including:ExerciseExercise is an important part of managing your diabetes. If you are obese or overweight, exercise can help you manage your weight.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Before I start, do I need to have my heart checked? My eyes? My feet? What type of exercise program should I do? What type of activities should I avoid? When should I check my blood sugar when I exercise? What should I bring with me when I exercise? Should I eat before or during exercise? Do I need to adjust my medicines when I exercise?When should I next have an eye doctor (optometrist or ophthalmologist) check my eyes? What eye problems should I contact my eye doctor about?Check my eyesDiabetes can harm the eyes. It can damage the small blood vessels in the retina, the back part of your eye. This condition is called diabetic retin...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Ask your provider about meeting with a dietitian. Questions for the dietitian may include:What foods increase my blood sugar the most? What foods can help me with my weight loss goals?Ask your provider about your diabetes medicines:When should I take them? What should I do if I miss a dose? Are there any side effects?How often should I check my blood sugar level at home? Should I do it at different times of the day? What is too low? What is too high? What should I do if my blood sugar is too low or too high?Check my blood sugar levelWhen you have diabetes, you should have good control of your blood sugar (glucose). If your blood sugar is not controlled, serious health problems c...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Should I get a medical alert bracelet or necklace? Should I have glucagon at home?Ask your provider about symptoms that you are having if they have not been discussed. Tell your provider about blurred vision, skin changes, depression, reactions at injection sites, sexual dysfunction, tooth pain, muscle pain, or nausea.Ask your provider about other tests you may need, such as cholesterol, HbA1C, and a urine and blood test to check for kidney problems.HbA1CA1C is a lab test that shows the average level of blood sugar (glucose) over the previous 3 months. It shows how well you are controlling your blood...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Ask your provider about vaccinations you should have like the COVID-19 vaccine, flu shot, hepatitis B, or pneumococcal (pneumonia) vaccines.COVID-19 vaccineCOVID-19 vaccines are used to prepare the body's immune system to protect against COVID-19. Everyone ages 6 months and older should get a 2024-2025 C...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article How should I take care of my diabetes when I travel?Ask your provider how you should take care of your diabetes when you are sick:SickWaiting too long to get medical care when you are sick can lead to getting much sicker. When you have diabetes, a delay in getting care can be life ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article What should I eat or drink? How should I take my diabetes medicines? How often should I check my blood sugar? When should I contact the provider?Open ReferencesReferencesAhmann AJ, Riddle MC. Therapeutics of type 2 diabetes mellitus. In: Melmed S, Auchus RJ, Goldfine AB, Koenig RJ, Kopp PA, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 15th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 34.American Diabetes Association website. 4. Comprehensive medical evaluation and assessment of comorbidities: standards of care in diabetes-2024. diabetesjournals.org/care/article/47/Supplement_1/S52/153956/4-Comprehensive-Medical-Evaluation-and-Assessment. Accessed July 30, 2024.Dhatariya KK, Umpierrez GE, Crandall JP. Diabetes mellitus. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 210.AllVideoImagesTogDiabetic foot care - illustration People with diabetes are prone to foot problems because the disease can cause damage to the blood vessels and nerves, which may result in decreased ability to sense a trauma to the foot. The immune system is also altered, so that the person with diabetes cannot efficiently fight infection.Diabetic foot careillustrationDiabetes and exercise - illustration A person with type 2 diabetes can use exercise to help control their blood sugar levels and provide energy their muscles need to function throughout the day. By maintaining a healthy diet and sufficient exercise, a person with type 2 diabetes may be able to keep their blood sugar in the normal non-diabetic range without medicine. Diabetes and exerciseillustrationLow blood sugar symptoms - illustration Symptoms such as weakness, feeling tired, shaking, sweating, headache, hunger, nervousness and irritability are signs that a persons blood sugar is getting dangerously low. A person showing any of these symptoms should check their blood sugar. If the level is low (70 mg/dL), a sugar-containing food should be eaten right away.Low blood sugar symptomsillustrationDiabetic foot care - illustration People with diabetes are prone to foot problems because the disease can cause damage to the blood vessels and nerves, which may result in decreased ability to sense a trauma to the foot. The immune system is also altered, so that the person with diabetes cannot efficiently fight infection.Diabetic foot careillustrationDiabetes and exercise - illustration A person with type 2 diabetes can use exercise to help control their blood sugar levels and provide energy their muscles need to function throughout the day. By maintaining a healthy diet and sufficient exercise, a person with type 2 diabetes may be able to keep their blood sugar in the normal non-diabetic range without medicine. Diabetes and exerciseillustrationLow blood sugar symptoms - illustration Symptoms such as weakness, feeling tired, shaking, sweating, headache, hunger, nervousness and irritability are signs that a persons blood sugar is getting dangerously low. A person showing any of these symptoms should check their blood sugar. If the level is low (70 mg/dL), a sugar-containing food should be eaten right away.Low blood sugar symptomsillustrationA Closer Look Diabetes - type 2 - InDepth(In-Depth)Diabetes - type 1 - InDepth(In-Depth)Chromium(Alt. Medicine)Vitamin D(Alt. Medicine)Atherosclerosis(Alt. Medicine)Wounds(Alt. Medicine)Weight control and diet - InDepth(In-Depth)High blood pressure - InDepth(In-Depth)Myocardial infarction(Alt. Medicine)Rheumatoid arthritis(Alt. Medicine)Talking to your MD Type 2 diabetes - what to ask your doctorMastectomy and breast reconstruction - what to ask your doctorBefore weight-loss surgery - what to ask your doctorHip or knee replacement - before - what to ask your doctor Questions to ask your doctor before knee replacementAnesthesia - what to ask your doctor - childAnesthesia - what to ask your doctor - adultSelf Care Type 1 diabetes - self-careType 2 diabetes - self-carePre-existing diabetes and pregnancyDiabetes tests and checkupsGiving an insulin injectionTests and visits before surgery Tests for Type 2 diabetes - what to ask your doctor CystoscopyRefractionRelated Information Atherosclerosis(Condition)Diabetic hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome(Condition)Type 2 diabetes(Condition)High blood cholesterol levels(Condition)High blood pressure in adults - hypertension(Condition)Diabetes and kidney disease(Condition)Diabetes and nerve damage(Condition)Diabetes and eye disease(Condition)Blood sugar test(Medical Test)Diabetes - foot ulcers(Self-Care)Diabetes - when you are sick(Self-Care)Diabetes - preventing heart attack and stroke(Self-Care)Diabetes - taking care of your feet(Self-Care)Diabetes tests and checkups(Self-Care)Diabetes and exercise (Self-Care)Diabetes - keeping active (Self-Care)Low blood sugar - self-care(Self-Care)Managing your blood sugar(Self-Care)ACE inhibitors(Self-Care)Diabetes - type 1 - InDepth(In-Depth)Diabetes diet - InDepth(In-Depth)Diabetes - type 2 - InDepth(In-Depth) Review Date: 7/15/2024 Reviewed By: Frank D. Brodkey, MD, FCCM, Associate Professor, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. 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Type 2 diabetes - what to ask your doctorWhat to ask your provider about diabetes - type 2Type 2 diabetes, once diagnosed, is a lifelong disease that causes a high level of sugar (glucose) in your blood. It can damage your organs. It can also lead to a heart attack or stroke and many other health problems. You can take steps to control your symptoms, prevent damage due to diabetes, and make your life better.Type 2 diabetesType 2 diabetes is a lifelong (chronic) disease in which there is a high level of sugar (glucose) in the blood. Type 2 diabetes is the most common f...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Heart attackMost heart attacks are caused by a blood clot that blocks one of the coronary arteries. The coronary arteries bring blood and oxygen to the heart. ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article StrokeA stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain stops. A stroke is sometimes called a "brain attack. " If blood flow is cut off for longer th...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Below are questions you may want to ask your health care provider to help you take care of your diabetes.Related video goes here for no-HTML5 browsersQuestionsAsk your provider to check the nerves, skin, and pulses in your feet. Also ask these questions:NervesNerve damage that occurs in people with diabetes is called diabetic neuropathy. This condition is a complication of diabetes.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article How often should I check my feet? What should I do when I check them? What problems should I call my provider about? Check my feetDiabetes can damage the nerves and blood vessels in your feet. This damage can cause numbness and reduce feeling in your feet. As a result, your fe...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Who should trim my toenails? Is it OK if I trim them? How should I take care of my feet every day? What type of shoes and socks should I wear? Should I see a foot doctor (podiatrist)?Ask your provider about getting exercise, including:ExerciseExercise is an important part of managing your diabetes. If you are obese or overweight, exercise can help you manage your weight.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Before I start, do I need to have my heart checked? My eyes? My feet? What type of exercise program should I do? What type of activities should I avoid? When should I check my blood sugar when I exercise? What should I bring with me when I exercise? Should I eat before or during exercise? Do I need to adjust my medicines when I exercise?When should I next have an eye doctor (optometrist or ophthalmologist) check my eyes? What eye problems should I contact my eye doctor about?Check my eyesDiabetes can harm the eyes. It can damage the small blood vessels in the retina, the back part of your eye. This condition is called diabetic retin...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Ask your provider about meeting with a dietitian. Questions for the dietitian may include:What foods increase my blood sugar the most? What foods can help me with my weight loss goals?Ask your provider about your diabetes medicines:When should I take them? What should I do if I miss a dose? Are there any side effects?How often should I check my blood sugar level at home? Should I do it at different times of the day? What is too low? What is too high? What should I do if my blood sugar is too low or too high?Check my blood sugar levelWhen you have diabetes, you should have good control of your blood sugar (glucose). If your blood sugar is not controlled, serious health problems c...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Should I get a medical alert bracelet or necklace? Should I have glucagon at home?Ask your provider about symptoms that you are having if they have not been discussed. Tell your provider about blurred vision, skin changes, depression, reactions at injection sites, sexual dysfunction, tooth pain, muscle pain, or nausea.Ask your provider about other tests you may need, such as cholesterol, HbA1C, and a urine and blood test to check for kidney problems.HbA1CA1C is a lab test that shows the average level of blood sugar (glucose) over the previous 3 months. It shows how well you are controlling your blood...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Ask your provider about vaccinations you should have like the COVID-19 vaccine, flu shot, hepatitis B, or pneumococcal (pneumonia) vaccines.COVID-19 vaccineCOVID-19 vaccines are used to prepare the body's immune system to protect against COVID-19. Everyone ages 6 months and older should get a 2024-2025 C...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article How should I take care of my diabetes when I travel?Ask your provider how you should take care of your diabetes when you are sick:SickWaiting too long to get medical care when you are sick can lead to getting much sicker. When you have diabetes, a delay in getting care can be life ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article What should I eat or drink? How should I take my diabetes medicines? How often should I check my blood sugar? When should I contact the provider?Open ReferencesReferencesAhmann AJ, Riddle MC. Therapeutics of type 2 diabetes mellitus. In: Melmed S, Auchus RJ, Goldfine AB, Koenig RJ, Kopp PA, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 15th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 34.American Diabetes Association website. 4. Comprehensive medical evaluation and assessment of comorbidities: standards of care in diabetes-2024. diabetesjournals.org/care/article/47/Supplement_1/S52/153956/4-Comprehensive-Medical-Evaluation-and-Assessment. Accessed July 30, 2024.Dhatariya KK, Umpierrez GE, Crandall JP. Diabetes mellitus. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 210.
