clean your teeth and check that your gums are still healthy. If you’re having trouble maintaining your blood sugar levels or your treatment plan changed, you should see your doctor for an A1C test every three to six months.
What Black People Need To Know
According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Black Americans are more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes than other ethnicities. The numbers also show that they’re more prone to miss important health checks.
In fact, many Black Americans admit that they don’t have their diabetes under control. That admission would explain why Black people are almost four times as likely to be hospitalized for diabetic complications and are three times more likely to develop end-stage kidney disease. It would also correlate with the fact that Black Americans are twice as likely to die from issues related to diabetes.
Fortunately, doctors agree that you won’t add to these statistics if you stick to your medical regimen and ensure that you get checked regularly.
When To Talk To Your Doctor
Even though you have scheduled tests, it doesn’t mean you don’t need to talk to your doctor outside of them. Sometimes diabetic medications don’t work as well as they should and your condition isn’t being properly managed. If your blood sugar levels are high every day or they spike at least once per day, you need to let your doctor know. The same is true if you experience vision changes, trouble breathing, or intense stomach pain. It’s advisable that you check your feet every day so if you see a cut that isn’t healing, bring it to your doctor’s attention immediately.
Diabetes is a chronic condition that needs to be managed carefully. Apart from doing your daily checks, it’s important to stick to your annual schedule of health checks. Additionally, you should never hesitate to tell your doctor about any changes in your health.