A diabetologist is a physician who is an expert in the treatment of diabetes. Mostly diabetologists are endocrinologists with specialization in diabetes treatment. Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease where the blood sugar levels of a person will be fluctuating continuously. Diabetology is to deal with all types of diabetes. They are:
- Pre-diabetes
- Diabetes mellitus type 1
- Diabetes mellitus type2
- Gestational diabetes
If a person is suffering with diabetes then there is a confusion of whom to approach? Whether a diabetologist or endocrinologist? Let us have a brief summary about both.
Relation between pancreas and diabetes
Human body has many glands. They secrete various hormones into the bloodstream to regulate the functioning of the body. The functions include growth, hunger, thirst, sleep, rest, emotions etc. All these glands together form an endocrine system. Main glands pituitary, hypothalamus, thyroid, adrenal, and pancreas are the same to all. While males have testes and females have ovaries in the pelvic region. All these glands secrete and regulate the production of hormones.
Pancreas secrete and regulate insulin hormone which controls the blood sugar levels. When the body indicates an increase in sugar levels, insulin enters the bloodstream and controls it. As soon as the food we take is digested, insulin is released by the pancreas. Then insulin helps the body cells to absorb the glucose. This glucose is used in the functioning of the cells and excess is stored.
If at all the pancreas fails to secrete insulin or if the secreted insulin is not sufficient to regulate glucose levels, the glucose levels become high. This condition is called diabetes. To rectify this, insulin is needed.
Roles of Diabetologist and an Endocrinologist
An endocrinologist is a healthcare professional who is trained to treat any issue with the endocrine system. Pancreas and insulin secretion is a part of the endocrine system. An endocrinologist can clearly understand each gland functions and the disorders and infections associated with it too. An endocrinologist can solve all the issues with any glands in the body. Diabetes is only one among those. The issues that can be resolved by an endocrinologist are given below.
- Any sort of damage to any gland in the body.
- Any disorder in the functioning of the glands.
- Thyroid problems. Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
- Hormonal imbalances. PCOD that is PolyCystic Ovarian Disease
- Early or late menopause
- Hormonal issues regarding reproduction.
- Any endocrine gland cancers.
When a person is diagnosed with diabetes at an earlier stage a general physician might refer to an endocrinologist. To manage diabetes and insulin properly the help of an endocrinologist is taken. Also if pancreatic cancer attacks a person suffering with diabetes then also endocrinologist help is taken to treat the condition.
Whereas a diabetologist is a healthcare professional who is specialized to treat diabetes conditions and other complications that are related to it. In one way, a diabetologist is an endocrinologist who can treat diabetes in particular. A diabetologist helps to diagnose, manage and treat diabetes effectively. The issues that are resolved by a diabetologist are as given.
- Diabetes mellitus type1
- Diabetes mellitus type2
- Gestational diabetes is an attack of diabetes during pregnancy.
- Pre-diabetes or early diabetes.
- Diabetes or hypoglycemia in newborn babies
- Low blood sugar that is Hypoglycemia
- Nerve disorders due to diabetes that is Diabetic Neuropathy and Diabetic polyneuropathy
- Kidney problems that arise due to diabetes that is Diabetic Nephropathy.
- High blood pressure
- Other complications like foot pain or Diabetic foot syndrome
There are many other complications that are associated with diabetes. Vision gets blurred. Growth and metabolism gets affected. Heart diseases might attack. Nerve disorders might arise. At all these aspects a diabetologist needs the help of concerned specialists like ophthalmologist, cardiologist, neurosurgeon and a dietitian too.
Expectations from Diabetologist
When a person affected with diabetes visits a diabetologist for the first time, the patient history will be asked. Apart from this the causes and complications of diabetes are completely different from each person. The causes may be hereditary or due to lifestyle or gestational. Initially they are to be assessed. Later the treatment is given as per the condition of the patient. So a diabetologist needs to know patient history completely. So while visiting diabetic clinic or online clinic it is important to convey all the information in a candid way.
- From how much time the illness is there.
- Symptoms of diabetes seen in the patient.
- Other complications present.
- Any family history of diabetes.
- Any allergies of the patient.
- What all the medication the patient is using.
- Reports of the diagnosis tests done previously.
Once getting all the above information, a diabetologist might do a general examination and prescribe for diagnosis tests. They might include A1c test, random blood sugar test, Glucose tolerance test, fasting blood sugar test. Urine protein collection tests can also be recommended.
Diabetes care team
A diabetologist needs the help of many specialists on the treatment of diabetes.
- Opthamologist is needed to treat glaucoma or other eye related issues that result due to diabetes.
- A Nephrologist is needed to rectify kidney problems and urination issues.
- A Podiatrist is required to resolve the feet issues like Peripheral artery disease which is the result of blockage of arteries.
- Cardiologist is needed to resolve cardiovascular issues and heart diseases.
- Neurology is necessary to treat nerve disorders like neuropathy and polyneuropathy.
- A dietitian is needed to monitor and recommend a proper diet. For a patient with diabetes, diet is very crucial. That decides the sugar levels. So a proper diet is to be taken with the help of a dietitian.
So a diabetologist needs to coordinate with this team of multidisciplinary specialists to provide a proper treatment to a patient.
When to visit Diabetologist or a Diabetic clinic
If at all you experience any symptoms of diabetes please visit a diabetologist or get online consultation. The symptoms of diabetes are as given below.
- Excessive thirst.
- Excessive and untimely hunger.
- Frequent and unusual urination
- Delay in healing of wounds or sores.
- Increase in sugar levels
- Blur in vision
- High perspiration
- Sudden and unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue and dizziness
- Anxiety and rising heart beat
- Planning for pregnancy
Apart from the above stated symptoms there can be some other too. Any difference in normal health is to be always checked.
Who must visit Diabetologist
Even if there are no symptoms there can be a need to visit diabetic clinic.
- Even people who are overweight and obesity also can visit a diabetologist clinic.
- People with higher BMI too need to consult a diabetologist. Because in most of the cases, weight issue is the primary cause for type2 diabetes.
- People who are 40+ years old also need to visit an online clinic at least. Because aging is also a factor for diabetes.
- People who take alcohol more also should consult a diabetologist. As alcoholism can cause many metabolic changes. Those changes may affect insulin levels finally leading to diabetes.
- People who have a family history of diabetes.Like father or mother or both having diabetes need to consult a diabetologist.
- Pregnant ladies with high sugar levels need the help of a diabetologist and dietitian too.
- Any abnormal changes in normal health is also to be checked.
Despite consulting a diabetologist, changes in lifestyle and modifications in diet is mandatory. Even if diagnosed with diabetes do not panic. It can be managed. With proper guidance by a diabetologist and little physical activity or workout it is easily dealt with.
