Diabetes Management

Who needs diabetes management?

All those diagnosed with diabetes need to tightly control their disease, so medical diabetes management is essential. 

Type 1 diabetes 

If you have type 1 diabetes, you’ll typically work with a diabetes specialist like an endocrinologist for diabetes-specific care and see your internal medicine physician for primary care. The WestsideMed team acts as your primary care providers, coordinating care with endocrinologists or other specialists to help you maintain an optimal diabetes management plan.  

Type 2 diabetes 

If you’ve been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, you need a diabetes management plan to control the disease and keep it tightly controlled so you can enjoy good health. A diabetes management plan isn’t something you can design and implement on your own, because you need regular testing, medically supervised lifestyle changes, and sometimes medication to control your diabetes.

Prediabetes

Although you don’t technically have diabetes when you’re diagnosed with prediabetes, it’s still a serious threat that requires prompt attention. Without any changes, prediabetes can become diabetes quickly. The WestsideMed team helps you make the necessary changes, monitors your health, and prescribes any necessary medication to help you avoid type 2 diabetes.

Whether you’re newly diagnosed with prediabetes or you’ve been dealing with type 2 diabetes for years, the WestsideMed team has diabetes management solutions for you.

Do I have to take insulin to manage diabetes?

Not necessarily. Type 1 diabetes requires insulin because the body doesn’t make it. If you have type 1 diabetes, your specialist typically prescribes insulin, and your provider at WestsideMed can help you stay healthy through diet, exercise, and careful management of co-existing health conditions.

If you have type 2 diabetes, you may not need insulin. Often, you can control your blood sugar through diet and lifestyle changes under your provider’s supervision.

Sometimes you’ll need oral medication to control your blood sugar, and eventually you may need insulin. But with a strict diabetes management plan, you can stay healthy now and for a very long time.

How often should I see the doctor for diabetes management?

In general, if you have diabetes or prediabetes, you’ll need to see your provider more often than you did before diagnosis. You may need to see the doctor every 3-6 months, depending on your specific health and circumstances. 

The WestsideMed team is here to help you stay healthy through a medical diabetes management plan. To schedule an appointment, call the office or request one online today.