When your blood sugar increases, your pancreas releases a hormone called insulin. This hormone carries sugar (glucose) into the cells, which allows your body to use it as an energy source. In people with diabetes, the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin, or the body can’t use insulin effectively. As a result, glucose builds up in the blood, increasing the risk of serious complications.
To reduce your risk of complications, it’s important to see a diabetes specialist in Atlanta. Learn more about why regular screenings are so important for protecting your health.
What Are the Benefits of Seeing a Diabetes Specialist for Regular Screenings?
Regular screenings allow you to take a proactive approach to your well-being. Instead of treating complications after they occur, regular screenings can help you avoid developing kidney disease, heart disease and nerve damage. Not only does this preserve your health, but it also helps you reduce your overall health care costs. It’s much less expensive to take preventive measures than it is to treat severe diabetes symptoms.
Getting regular screenings also ensures your treatment plan is as effective as possible. Medications and lifestyle changes are helpful for controlling 2 diabetes, but you may have to adjust your regimen based on your current weight and blood glucose readings. If you go to a diabetes clinic in Atlanta, your specialist can perform a physical exam and order lab tests to make sure your treatment plan is working as intended.
Why Choose a Diabetes Clinic in Atlanta for Your Care?
Diabetes requires ongoing specialty care. No matter how long you’ve had diabetes, you can benefit from working with a team of physicians, dietitians and other diabetes experts.
A diabetes clinic in Atlanta also has access to specialized technology, giving you access to state-of-the-art treatment options. When you work with an interdisciplinary team, you have the opportunity to address the underlying cause of your diabetes instead of just covering up the symptoms.
What Will a Diabetes Specialist Look for During Your Screening?
During a screening, a specialist assesses your health and determines if there are any signs of impending complications. A thorough assessment typically includes the following components:
- Blood pressure check. Persistently high glucose levels can damage your blood vessels, leading to a condition known as hypertension (high blood pressure). Checking your blood pressure helps determine if you need to take additional medications.
- Glucose testing. Your specialist will order blood glucose and A1C testing. A fasting blood glucose test determines your blood sugar level at a specific point in time, while A1C testing measures your average blood glucose level over the past 3 months. Doing both tests gives your specialist insight into how well you’re managing your glucose levels.
- Kidney function tests. Diabetes can damage the blood vessels leading to the kidneys, resulting in kidney damage over time. Your specialist may order a kidney function panel, which checks your creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels to determine if they’re elevated.
- Foot examination. Advanced diabetes causes problems with blood flow and nerve function. In some people, this leads to foot problems, such as poor wound healing and neuropathy. A foot exam helps determine if you have ulcers, blisters, infections or other problems that could cause serious complications if they’re not treated.
You can also expect your specialist to ask questions about your symptoms, review your medication list and discuss any lifestyle changes you’ve made.
How Often Should You Have Diabetes Screenings?
If you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, you should have a screening every 3 to 6 months. Patients with prediabetes should see a specialist at least once per year, but more frequent visits may be necessary if you start to develop symptoms.
How Can the Atlanta Medical Clinic’s Diabetes Relief Program Help You Manage Your Condition?
Atlanta Medical Clinic offers cutting-edge treatment for diabetes. Although we conduct standard physical exams and order common lab tests, we also offer infusion treatments designed to stabilize or even reverse diabetes symptoms. Our innovative program helps patients improve their quality of life and avoid some of the most serious diabetes complications. Patients receiving infusion therapy report:
- Less neuropathy
- Improved sleep
- Faster-healing wounds
- More energy
- Better glucose control
Every patient has unique needs, so it’s important to undergo a thorough assessment by a diabetes doctor in Atlanta to determine if infusion therapy is right for you. If it’s a good fit, we’ll develop a personalized care plan design to optimize your metabolism and reduce insulin resistance. We also offer vein therapy and advanced wound care to help you live the life you deserve.
To learn more about how a diabetes specialist in Atlanta can help you conquer your diabetes symptoms, contact Atlanta Medical Clinic for a free consultation with our medical team.