Type 2 Diabetes: Recently Diagnosed
When to Call a Doctor
Call the health professional treating you for type 2 diabetes if you:
- Develop new symptoms that you think may need to be reported.
- Are sweating (noticeable around the neck), feel very nervous and weak, are extremely hungry, and have a headache and fast heartbeat. You may have low blood sugar. You are not likely to have very low blood sugar unless you are taking a sulfonylurea medication (such as gliclazide, glyburide, or glimepiride) or insulin. But if you do, follow the steps for dealing with low blood sugar and get help immediately, because it can lead to an emergency.
- Have symptoms of high blood sugar, such as increased thirst, increased urination, increased hunger, and blurred vision. If you think your blood sugar level may be high, take a home blood sugar test.
- Have side effects from the diabetes medication your doctor prescribed. For common side effects, see the Medications section of this topic.
- Are having problems following the meal plan or being physically active, and you want help.
- Are sick for more than 2 days (unless it is a mild illness, such as a cold) or you have been vomiting or had diarrhea for more than 6 hours.
Who to See
Health professionals who may be involved in your diabetes care include:
- A family medicine doctor.
- A general practitioner.
- A certified diabetes educator (CDE).
- A registered dietitian. All people newly diagnosed with diabetes should see a dietitian for help in choosing healthy foods.
If you have signs that a complication of diabetes may be developing or has developed, you may be referred to a specialist, such as:
- An endocrinologist.
- An internist.
More Information:
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| Author: | Merrill Hayden Carrie Henley | Last Updated: November 27, 2006 |
| Medical Review: | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine Hanan Bassyouni, MD - Endocrinology and Metabolism Matthew I. Kim, MD - Endocrinology & Metabolism | |
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