A New Course of Study: Learning the Basics of Diabetes

What Every Person With Diabetes Needs to Know

How to make the most out of your doctor appointments:

If eyes are windows to the soul, then feet are the foundation on which your body stands. "Make sure your doctor regularly examines your feet for cuts, sores, swellings, and other signs of blood sugar problems," says Biddle. "In fact, it's a good idea to take off your socks and shoes in the examining room while you wait for your doctor to come see you. That way, you'll both save time."
Whenever you have a cholesterol test or any other type of test, insist on copies of the paperwork for your own personal records. Don't be afraid to ask questions if you don't understand the test results.
Ask for a hemoglobin A1c test, which measures your average blood sugar from the last three months.
In addition to your primary physician, see your eye doctor and dentist on a regular basis. Denture wearers are no exception. "Even with a full set of dentures, you should still see your dentist because high blood sugar levels could make you prone to gum disease," says Biddle.

Updated October 2002 — People with diabetes, take note: if you're relying solely on your physician for information about the disease, you may be missing out on important tips that could help you manage your health. In addition to having regular check-ups with physicians, people with diabetes should "update themselves from time to time on diabetes education," says Monique Biddle, a certified diabetes educator with the Diabetes Management Center of Memorial Healthcare System. Most insurance companies cover it."

Indeed, a single appointment with your doctor is usually too brief to adequately cover the ins and outs of diabetes. Newly diagnosed patients need assistance in learning treatment routines, and long-time patients accustomed to old habits may need help adopting new ones in light of the latest research findings. For both groups, education can help set things straight.

At the Diabetes Management Center of Memorial Healthcare System, certified experts complement the patient-physician relationship with personalized lessons on nutrition, insulin therapy, and other topics relevant to diabetics. Known for their hands-on philosophy, they educate patients and their loved ones in surprisingly creative ways.

Raymond Lugg, whose daughter has diabetes, says the dietary education component was especially practical. By studying realistic models of different foods, he and his family learned to estimate portion sizes at a glance. "There were plastic models of scrambled eggs and plastic mashed potatoes. Now I know, just by looking, what a real 4-ounce serving should look like," he says. "And even though Caroline is the only one with diabetes in the family, we all eat more healthy now."

Memorial Healthcare System's inpatient and outpatient diabetes programs focus on self-care skills and improving the quality of life for diabetic adults and children. Outreach services include community screenings and free support groups.

If you would like more information about diabetes, speak to your physician. If you need a physician, please contact the Memorial Healthcare System Physician Referral Service at (800) 944-DOCS.

For more information, please call one of the Memorial Healthcare System Diabetes Management Centers:

Memorial Regional Hospital
(954) 985-5889

Memorial Hospital West
(954) 430-6801

Memorial Hospital Pembroke
(954) 963-8013

For More Information Regarding Diabetes, Visit Our Health Library.

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