What Do You Call A Doctor Who Specializes In Diabetes

What Is A Diabetologist

In Germany, there are diabetologists certified by the German Diabetes Association , internists specialising in endocrinology and diabetology or doctors with diabetology as an additional qualification.

Diabetes mellitus, a condition popularly known as diabetes, is a metabolic disease in which a persons blood sugar level is permanently elevated. Diabetology is the medical-scientific discipline that specialises in the research and treatment of all types of diabetes, including:

• Diabetes mellitus type 1,
• Diabetes mellitus type 2 ,
• Diabetes mellitus type 3 and
• Gestational diabetes

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What Does A Diabetologist Do

The diabetologists tasks include diagnosing and treating all types of diabetes. They also treat diseases that are closely related to diabetes, such as

• Disturbances affecting lipid metabolism,
• Severe obesity and
• High blood pressure.

A diabetologist also carries out preventive examinations with a view to the secondary diseases of diabetes.

Patients with the most common affliction type 2 diabetes, also referred to as adult-onset diabetes are usually cared for by their family doctor. Only when insulin therapy becomes necessary or secondary diseases already exist does the diabetologist usually take over responsibility for therapy in close consultation with the family doctor.

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What Is A Diabetes Specialist

A diabetes specialist is called an endocrinologist. Endocrinologists specialize in the glands of the endocrine system. The pancreas is the gland involved in diabetes. The pancreas produces insulin, and problems with insulin are what managing your diabetes is about.

Endocrinologists often work as a team with other diabetes specialistsnurse practitioners, dieticians, pharmacists, educators, and exercise physiologistswho help address every aspect of diabetes, which can be a very complicated problem to manage.

You Need A Care Team Including Diabetes Nurse Educators Nutritionists And Possibly Other Specialists

Just receiving a diagnosis and learning about diabetes often is not enough to help you manage your disease. Seeing a specialist will connect you with an entire diabetes care team whose membersnurse practitioner, dietician, pharmacist, educator, and exercise physiologistbring unique areas of expertise to help individualize your care according to your specific needs.

While primary care doctors provide good treatment for people with diabetes, if managing your condition feels complicated and unmanageable, you might want to see a specialist. Endocrinologists and diabetes care teams can provide you with their expertise, tools, and resources specific to your individual symptoms and condition. Exploring all your options will help you determine the best management plan and achieve the highest quality of life.

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An Endocrinologist Never Stops Learning About Diabetes

To maintain their board certification, endocrinologists must keep up with new developments in their field. They must complete a set number of required hours of continuing education and renew their medical license every few years, depending on the state in which they practice and other factors. By following these requirements, board-certified endocrinologists stay on top of new treatments and discoveries about the mechanisms involved in diabetes, so they can then provide their patients with insightful, informed, and up-to-date treatment plans.

People Who Can Help You Manage Type 2 Diabetes

As you begin the challenge of managing type 2 diabetes, these are the healthcare providers who can increase your chances of success.

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You have figured out by now that managing type 2 diabetes means doing whatever you can to stabilize or lower the level of glucose in your blood. How? By building a diabetes-friendly diet, exercising regularly, taking any medications as prescribed, and following a glucose-monitoring plan. And thats a lot to keep track of on your own! The good news is you dont have to go it alone: You can enlist a battery of professionals to show you how to get on track and stay there.

We know that type 2 diabetes affects you head to toe. Youll never find one professional who is an expert in all of those areas, says Nicole M. Bereolos, PhD, MPH, a certified diabetes care and education specialist in Dallas. Dr. Bereolos is also on the board of directors for the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists. It may feel frustrating to have five or six providers, she says, but each of these healthcare professionals offers a different resource. Id love for patients to reframe this thinking to the idea that theyre trying to get the best care possible and increase their likelihood for success, she says.

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With all that in mind, heres a list of the healthcare providers you’ll need on your team as you take up the challenge of managing type 2 diabetes.

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Diabetes Specialist In Chicago

If you are looking for a diabetes specialist in Chicago, join Dedication Health. Dedication Health is a concierge medical practice in Chicagos North Shore. The concierge physicians at Dedication Health are board-certified in internal medicine and specialist care including Endocrinology.

By establishing a membership with a concierge medical practice, like Dedication Health, you get inclusive treatment that goes beyond traditional medicine. If you are to get started with a concierge medical practice in Chicago, contact us today! You can reach our office at 847-986-6770. You may also complete our online contact form and we will be in touch with you as soon as possible. Dedication Health is conveniently located at 710 Oak St, Winnetka, IL 60093.

Learn more about concierge medicine from the links listed below.

• Fax: 224-505-5960
• Email: talktous@dedication-health.com

Dedication Health is accredited in computed tomography as the result of a recent review by the American College of Radiology

Dedication Health is an accredited COLA laboratory and is in compliance with CLIA and is recognized by the Joint Commission.

• Copyright 2021 Dedication Health, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Dr Sarfraz Zaidi Md A Top Holistic Diabetes Specialist

Dr. Sarfraz Zaidi, MD is a leading holistic diabetes specialist in the USA. He is a MD Medical Doctor. After graduation from medical school, he decided to become an endocrinologist. Therefore, he completed his three years of Residency training in Internal Medicine at the Wayne State University Hospitals in Detroit, followed by an additional two years of Fellowship training in Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism at the UCLA hospitals in Los Angeles.

Dr. Zaidi is a holistic diabetes specialist over twenty years. As a diabetes specialist, he developed a unique holistic approach to diabetes treatment which is based on his in-depth medical knowledge, vast clinical experience, and personal enlightenment.

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How Often Should I See My Doctor

People with diabetes who use insulin shots usually see their doctor at least every 3 to 4 months. People who take pills or who are managing their diabetes through diet alone should have an appointment at least every 4 to 6 months.

You may need to go more often if your blood sugar isn’t controlled or if your complications are getting worse.

What Sets An Endocrinologist/diabetes Doctor Apart

An Endocrinologist/diabetic doctor will give you valuable advice as well as send in prescriptions for all the medications and medical devices such as insulin pumps or continuous glucose monitoring devices. They typically also work on your prior authorizations that can take a tremendous amount of time.

Most of the time, primary care doctors do not have the time or the resources to do prior authorizations for their patients. Diabetic doctors who are typically endocrinologists can make strong arguments to give the best possible care for the patients suffering from diabetes.

There are so many options to treat diabetes, so knowing the options for diabetic patients is extremely important. Diabetes is a burdensome disease affecting a persons life in every aspect. As a result, making life easy by tweaking, adjusting, or introducing new treatments can make a big difference in a diabetic patients life.

Diabetic doctors are seeing patients with diabetes every day. Diabetes doctors have special training that takes years. More importantly, diabetes doctors have the necessary knowledge, tools, and experience. Even though they have extensive expertise under their belt, there are far too many diabetic patients as compared to endocrinologists. SugarMDs offer a telemedicine solution where you do not have to desperately search for a local endocrinologist.

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You Are Having Complications Or Difficulty Managing Your Diabetes

You should definitely see a specialist if you have developed complications. Diabetes typically causes problems with the eyes, kidney, and nerves. In addition, it can cause deformity and open sores on the feet.

Diabetes complications only get worse with time, and can cause you to miss out on quality of life. In addition, you should see a specialist if you are having frequent low blood sugars or have ever had severe low blood sugar or diabetic ketoacidosis.

Endocrinology Tests Procedures And Surgeries

The tests, procedures, and surgeries performed within endocrinology depend on your exact endocrine problem. According to the American Medical Association, endocrinologists use laboratory procedures, tissue sampling, genetic analysis, and high-resolution medical imaging. In addition, they conduct simulations of hormonal mechanisms to establish the diagnosis of different ailments. They perform and interpret bone mineral density tests in the evaluation of people with metabolic bone disease and may perform thyroid ultrasonography and ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsies in the evaluation of people with thyroid conditions.

Here are some of the tests that an endocrinologist might perform, according to the Mayo Clinic.

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Traditional Diabetes Specialist Versus Holistic Diabetes Specialist

A traditional diabetes specialist focuses on the the prescription medications. These antidiabetic drugs are useful to control blood sugars. However, most of these medications do not treat the root cause of Type 2 diabetes, which is insulin resistance. Often diabetics end up developing horrendous complications of diabetes such as chronic kidney disease, eye disease, peripheral neuropathy, heart disease and poor circulation. In comparison, a holistic diabetes specialist focuses on treating the whole body and tries to reverse the downhill course of diabetes.

Where To Find One

An endocrinologist can work in:

• A medical practice with other endocrinologists
• A group with different kinds of doctors

You can search for one on the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists website.

Some don’t see patients. They may work in universities or medical schools, where they teach medical students and residents or do research.

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Your Inner Circle To Support Good Habits

Letting your loved ones know whats going on with your health and how they can help you will go a long way in relieving the burden of a diabetes diagnosis. If they offer a source of positive support, friends and family can help buffer some of the stress that comes from managing diabetes, says Bereolos. In other words: Youre not alone.

What Does My Doctor Need To Know

Generally, your doctor wants to understand how well your diabetes is controlled and whether diabetic complications are starting or getting worse. Therefore, at each visit, give your doctor your home blood sugar monitoring record and tell them about any symptoms of hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia .

Also let your doctor know about any changes in your diet, exercise, or medicines and any new illnesses you may have gotten. Tell your doctor if you’ve had symptoms of eye, nerve, kidney, or cardiovascular problems such as:

• Numbness or tingling in your feet
• Persistent hand, feet, face, or leg swelling
• Cramping or pain in the legs

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Creating A Diabetes Team

To help you manage every aspect of your health and diabetes, you may find that creating a team of different healthcare providers can be incredibly resourceful. These health providers can include:

• Primary care provider: A healthcare provider who can oversee your entire health and well-being along with your diabetes
• Endocrinologist: A healthcare provider who will provide specialized diabetic care
• Ophthalmologist/optometrist:A healthcare provider who can diagnose and treat eye disorders
• Podiatrist: A healthcare provider who can treat feet and lower leg problems such as nerve damage and ulcers
• Pharmacist: A professional who can advise you on your medications and how to take them properly
• Dentist: A healthcare provider who can monitor your oral health, which impacts your overall health
• Registered nurse/nurse navigator: Nurses who can help coordinate your medical care
• Registered dietitian: A healthcare professional who can help you figure out what to eat and drink to manage your diabetes
• Certified diabetes care and education specialist : Professionals who can help you manage the things you need to do to take care of your diabetes
• Mental health professional: Healthcare providers and therapists who can help you deal with the challenges of day-to-day life with diabetes and any emotions that come along with this
• Fitness professional: A physical therapist, physiologist, or personal trainer who can help you stay active

Who Should See An Endocrinologist

It might seem only natural that everyone with diabetes have an endocrinologist as part of their healthcare team. But not everyone needs to have an endocrinologist and, unfortunately, there are too few endocrinologists to go around, especially since there are 34 million people in the U.S. who have diabetes. According to the website Statista, the number of endocrinologists in the U.S. in 2020 is 8,237, whereas the number of radiologists is 48,464. For this reason, not everyone with diabetes in the U.S. has easy access to an endocrinologist, so some must rely on their primary-care provider for their diabetes management.

The American Diabetes Association encourages most people with type 1 diabetes to see an endocrinologist at least, when theyre first diagnosed. But what if you have type 2 diabetes? David Erani, MD, an endocrinologist at Onduo, says that If you have type 2 diabetes and your A1C is higher than it should be or you are having hypoglycemia , you could benefit from seeing an endocrinologist. Other reasons to consider working with an endocrinologist include:

· Your primary-care provider doesnt have much experience in treating diabetes or you feel like your provider isnt listening to you

· Youre finding it increasingly difficult to manage your diabetes

· You want to learn about other ways to manage your diabetes, such as trying a different medicine, or trying pump therapy, or continuous glucose monitoring

· You have complications from diabetes

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Exercise Physiologist Or Physical Trainer

People with either types of diabetes need to exercise to help control their weight and blood sugar levels. Exercising can also help reduce stress as well as help the body use insulin better.

Your healthcare provider can help you find a licensed healthcare professional with training in exercise physiology. A scientifically based fitness program can be planned by an exercise physiologist for people with diabetes.

Diabetes Doctor Near Me

Looking for a primary care doctor that can help diagnose and treat diabetes? At Oak Street Health, we have primary care doctors who specialize in treating chronic health diseases such as diabetes. Our doctors and physicians spend time to understand your health history and develop a plan to treat your diabetic condition.

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Ophthalmologist To Prevent Eye Diseases Caused By Diabetes

Your eye specialist will help you maintain healthy vision and monitor you for any complications caused by elevated or uncontrolled blood sugar levels, including diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, cataracts, and glaucoma, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people who have diabetes get a dilated eye exam annually.

Where A Career As An Endocrinologist Or Diabetologist Can Take You

Many endocrinologists and diabetologists develop sub-specialty interests such as:

• diabetes in pregnancy
• paediatric and adolescent diabetes and endocrinology
• diabetic renal disease
• diabetic neuropathy and foot problems
• diabetic eye disease
• endocrine late effects of cancer treatment
• lipid disorders

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What Experience And Training Do Endocrinologists Need

Endocrinology is a subspecialty of internal medicine. Endocrinologists are healthcare providers who have trained in the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat endocrine conditions specifically.

To become an endocrinologist in the United States, a person must obtain or complete the following:

• A bachelors degree .
• Approximately four years of medical school.
• A two- to three-year residency in internal medicine or pediatrics.
• A two- to three-year fellowship in endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism.
• Pass an exam to become board-certified in internal medicine through the American Board of Internal Medicine.
• Pass an endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism exam to become board-certified as an endocrinologist.

Endocrinologists and all healthcare providers also partake in yearly learning and training courses known as Continuing Medical Education to stay up to date in their medical field.

Pharmacist To Educate You On Your Medications

This professional can help you understand your medications and how they work. They can also check for medication interactions, and are especially important if youre taking multiple medications prescribed by more than one doctor. According to a review published in January 2017 in Integrated Pharmacy Research and Practice, pharmacists can play an important role in diabetes care and have been shown to reduce the number of high and low blood sugar episodes, which not only benefits your health but can help save you money on your care, too.

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