10 People and Groups Who Can Help You Manage Type 2 Diabetes
You know that managing type 2 diabetes means doing whatever you can to stabilize or lower the level of glucose (sugar) in your blood. That can mean planning a diabetes-friendly diet, exercising regularly, taking medications as prescribed, and following a glucose-monitoring plan.
That’s a lot to keep track of, but the good news is, you don’t have to go it alone. There’s a battery of professionals who can show you how to get on track and stay there.
“We know that type 2 diabetes affects most systems of the body. You’ll never find one professional who is an expert in all of those systems,” says Nicole M. Bereolos, PhD, MPH, a psychologist and certified diabetes care and education specialist in Dallas. It may feel frustrating to have five or six providers, she says, but each of these healthcare professionals offers a different resource.
With all that in mind, here’s a list of the healthcare providers you’ll need on your team as you take up the challenge of managing type 2 diabetes.
1. A Primary Care Physician for General Health Concerns
You’ll see a primary care physician (PCP) for regular checkups, concerns that are outside the scope of diabetes, and routine care, such as vaccinations.
2. An Endocrinologist to Help With Blood Glucose Management
3. A Pharmacist to Educate You on the Medications You’re Taking
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4. A Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist to Help You Build a Diabetes-Friendly Diet
5. A CDCES to Create a Healthy Lifestyle
This certified healthcare professional will help you develop a diabetes management plan, as well as put lifestyle changes into practice and understand diabetes technology (such as continuous glucose monitors and other tools that might be available to you).
“A CDCES usually has a lot more time to spend with the person with diabetes than a PCP does,” Bereolos says. “Appointments with a CDCES are typically up to an hour. This really allows for more personalized care so that you can succeed in reaching your goals.”
Some professionals who hold the CDCES credential, such as Bereolos, are trained in behavioral psychology, a specialty that offers additional perks for patients. “Working with a psychologist can help to address some of the challenges in living with diabetes,” she explains. They can also serve as an accountability partner.
6. A Dentist to Monitor Gum Health
Care of teeth and gums is vital for everyone, but it’s especially important for people with type 2 diabetes, who are at increased risk of developing cavities, gum disease, and other oral health problems. And these issues can then make it harder for you to follow a healthy diet (an essential part of managing diabetes).
7. A Podiatrist to Treat Foot-Related Diabetes Complications
8. An Ophthalmologist to Prevent Eye Diseases Caused by Diabetes
9. Your Inner Circle to Support Your Emotional and Overall Health
Let your loved ones know what’s going on with your health (to the degree you feel comfortable) and how they can help relieve the burden of a diabetes diagnosis.
“If they offer a source of positive support, friends and family can buffer some of the stress that comes from managing diabetes,” Bereolos says.
10. Support Groups to Share Ideas on Living Well With Diabetes
Bereolos especially likes DiabetesSisters, a women-led nonprofit organization that promotes education and community for women with diabetes. The American Diabetes Association also has a great community support channel with helpful forums for people living with type 1 or 2 diabetes and their caregivers.
Resources to Find Diabetes Specialists
If you have questions about finding specialists in your area, you can tap into a few search tools. A good place to begin is the provider finder on your insurance company’s website or app, which can identify those who are accepting new patients.
If the ability to take time off and travel to medical appointments is a concern, video visits can be a great option in certain cases. There are apps you can use to facilitate your virtual medical care. These can be paid for out of pocket, but first check to see if your insurance covers the use of a virtual doctor's visit app.
The Takeaway
- Living with type 2 diabetes entails managing many aspects of the condition, including the effect it can have on your physical and emotional health.
- Working with various healthcare professionals, such as nutrition experts, dentists, and vision specialists, can help you keep symptoms in check and better manage the condition.
- By practicing healthy habits and working with various diabetes healthcare pros, you can optimize type 2 diabetes management and improve your overall health and well-being.
Additional reporting by Margaret O’Malley.
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Anna L. Goldman, MD
Medical Reviewer
Anna L. Goldman, MD, is a board-certified endocrinologist. She teaches first year medical students at Harvard Medical School and practices general endocrinology in Boston.
Dr. Goldman attended college at Wesleyan University and then completed her residency at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, where she was also a chief resident. She moved to Boston to do her fellowship in endocrinology at Brigham and Women's Hospital. She joined the faculty after graduation and served as the associate program director for the fellowship program for a number of years.
Jessica Migala
Author
Jessica Migala is a freelance writer with over 15 years of experience, specializing in health, nutrition, fitness, and beauty. She has written extensively about vision care, diabetes, dermatology, gastrointestinal health, cardiovascular health, cancer, pregnancy, and gynecology. She was previously an assistant editor at Prevention where she wrote monthly science-based beauty news items and feature stories.
She has contributed to more than 40 print and digital publications, including Cosmopolitan, O:The Oprah Magazine, Real Simple, Woman’s Day, Women’s Health, Fitness, Family Circle, Health, Prevention, Self, VICE, and more. Migala lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband, two young boys, rescue beagle, and 15 fish. When not reporting, she likes running, bike rides, and a glass of wine (in moderation, of course).