4 questions to ask your doctor about diabetes

4 questions to ask your doctor about diabetes

A diagnosis of diabetes or prediabetes is significant—and it’s vital that you learn to take care of your overall health. Here are questions to ask your healthcare provider so you’re in the driver’s seat

By Kat Tancock

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How can I prevent disease progression?

One-third of patients diagnosed with prediabetes will have full-blown diabetes within five years, Dr. Clement says. And since the most serious complication for those with prediabetes is heart disease, you need to know about your risk factors—which includes smoking. As for people already diagnosed with diabetes, good self-care will keep the disease—and its complications—from getting worse. Ask your healthcare team for advice on your personal situation, and remember that you control your lifestyle, and that appointments with your healthcare team are all for you. “What’s sometimes forgotten is that the interaction is for the patient, not the healthcare team,” says Dr. Clement. “People with diabetes often say, ‘You’ll be mad at me, I didn’t do this.’ But they’re not there to please the healthcare provider—they should be there for themselves.”

Related:
• 7 tips for living well with diabetes
• Diabetes and weight loss
• 5 easy recipes from a chef with diabetes