Doctor Visit Checklist: Managing Your Glucose Levels
Regular doctor visits are important when managing your health, especially if you're working to maintain healthy glucose levels. If you have diabetes or simply want to become healthier overall, your doctor can provide guidance and track your progress. Maybe the most important part of a trip to the doctor is making sure that you're both ready with the right questions and information. In this article, we'll give you a checklist that will help you control your glucose levels well during your doctor's appointment, and how the application of the SIBIONICS GS1 will help you track your progress.
Why Regular Doctor Visits Matter for Glucose Management
Glucose control isn't just about diet or drugs. It's an ongoing process requiring regular checks and adjustments. Your doctor can assist you in searching for trends in your glucose levels, calibrating your treatment, and advising on lifestyle changes that can help keep your glucose levels within healthy limits.
As you're here, your doctor also can keep an eye out for complications that happen when glucose levels are constantly high or low, such as nerve damage, kidney problem, or eye problems. The more you tell your doctor, the better they can help you manage your condition and keep you on track.
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Check Your Glucose Levels
Before your appointment, make sure you have been tracking your glucose levels regularly. Using a device like the SIBIONICS GS1, you are able to track your glucose in real time. This smart device provides you with accurate readings and is able to track how your glucose levels change throughout the day. Having access to this information allows you to bring it in with you to show your doctor, which can allow them to observe how your body is responding to your current treatment plan.
When taking your glucose, make sure to write down the following:
Time of Day: Take your glucose at different times of the day, including fasting, after meals, and bedtime. This will enable your doctor to see how your glucose changes throughout the day.
Meals: List what you've eaten before you take your glucose reading. Some foods will send your glucose sky high or dropping through the floor, and your physician may give you diet directions based on that."
Exercise: If you've been active on a regular basis, log the type of exercise and its duration. Exercise can have a dramatic impact on your glucose.
Symptoms: Observe how you feel. Any unusual symptoms that you experience such as dizziness, fatigue, or headaches are recorded. Such symptoms may be a result of the changes in glucose.
Having this kind of information ensures that your doctor is able to make a more informed decision on your treatment regimen.
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A List of Medications
If you're taking medication to regulate your glucose, bring a list of all your medications with you. This does not only mean diabetes medication, but any other medications, vitamins, or over-the-counter preparations that you might be taking. Some medications, such as corticosteroids or antidepressants, will have an impact on your glucose levels, so it's to your benefit if your doctor is aware of what you're taking.
Be ready to discuss how your medicines are doing. Are there any side effects? Do you sense that your treatment regimen is helping you manage your glucose level? Sharing this information enables your doctor to make adjustments to your medicines if needed.
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Discuss Your Diet and Lifestyle
Your lifestyle has a big impact on your glucose, so don't forget to talk about what you're eating, exercising like, and in general. Don't be shy with your physician about any of the challenges that you're struggling with, be it eating good, sticking with an exercise plan, or handling stress.
Areas to talk to your physician about include:
Diet: Are you eating a well-balanced, nutrient-rich diet? How many times a day do you eat, and how much is a typical day's worth of meals? Keeping track of your meals in a food diary can be helpful when discussing your diet with your doctor.
Exercise: How frequently do you exercise, and what kind of physical activity are you performing? Regular exercise controls glucose levels, so your doctor might have recommendations for optimizing your exercise routine.".
Stress Management: Stress may drive your glucose levels up, so talk about how you are managing stress. Are you learning relaxation, such as with mindfulness, meditation, or yoga? If not, your health care provider can give you some tips on what to do.
If you have a device like the SIBIONICS GS1, you can also report how different lifestyle conditions affect your glucose. For example, you might discover that your glucose increases after a stressful event or after eating a meal with some food items. This kind of information enables your doctor to provide more personalized recommendations.
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Ask About Glucose Monitoring Devices
If you do not currently have a glucose monitoring device like the SIBIONICS GS1, speak with your doctor to determine whether it would be helpful for you. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems like the GS1 can give you real-time feedback regarding your glucose levels and provide valuable information regarding how your glucose levels respond to different activities, foods, and medications. It is simpler to manage your glucose and stay on top of your health objectives.
If you have a device already, make sure your doctor knows how well it's working for you. Are your levels readily available during the day? Do you feel like you're getting an accurate sense from the device? If there's something that's concerning or issues with the technology, your doctor can help you use the device more effectively.
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Discuss Your Goals and Treatment Plan
Be sure to talk about your goals for managing your glucose levels. Whether you’re aiming for better control, weight loss, or improved energy levels, sharing your goals with your doctor can help them create a plan that aligns with your needs. Your doctor will consider your current glucose levels, medications, lifestyle, and any other health factors to suggest changes to your treatment plan.
Some questions to ask during your visit:
What are my target glucose levels?
Do I need to modify my medication or insulin?
Are there any new treatments or technologies that I should be investigating?
What should I do if my glucose levels get too high or too low?
Asking these questions will allow you to ensure that your treatment plan stays on track and that you're getting the support you need to successfully manage your glucose levels.
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