Diabetic CareFrankTorresMD.com

Diabetic Care – Lab work every 3 to 6 months

Every 3 months for blood sugar that is not controlled.

Every 6 months for blood sugar that is well controlled.

Lab work is to check your kidneys and liver that is damaged by Diabetes but can also be damage due to the medication taken (Lipitor, etc)

Hemoglobin A1c (3 month sugar average) determines if your sugar is controlled.

A1c < 5.0% is normal

A1c between 6.5%-7.0% is the goal

A1c over 8% is uncontrolled

Lowering A1c from 8% to 7% lowers complications by 25%

Diabetic Care – Blood Pressure

Blood pressure goal is now 130/80 and not 140/90

Every Diabetic should be on an ACE-Inhibitor to prevent kidney from spilling protein and has shown to delay the need for dialysis

Ace-Inhibitors include: Lisinopril, Benazepril, Ramipril, Trandolapril, Quinapril, and Enalapril

Diabetic Care – Cholesterol Medication

Only the Statins have shown to prevent the first heart attack in Diabetics.

The preferred Statins are: Zocor(Simvastatin), Lipitor(Atorvastatin), and Crestor (Rosuvastatin)

Diabetic Care – Foot Care

Check feet daily for blisters, redness, and cracks in skin

Report signs of infection to clinic as soon as possible

Pain

Redness

Warmth

Pus

Diabetic Care – Eye Care

Diabetic eye exam yearly

This is not exam for glasses Checks for glaucoma

Checks for cataracts

Eyes dilated to check retina for diabetic changes

Diabetic Care - Other

PSA for males every year after 50

Mammograms for females every year after 50

Colonoscopy after 50 and then every 5 to 10 years

Or check stool for blood every year

Diabetic Care - Summary

Diet

Low cholesterol diet with no concentrated sugars (cokes, cookies, cakes, etc)

Exercise

Walking for 30 minutes EVERY day

Medication

Take as prescribed