How the Right Primary Care Doctor Can Help Manage Diabetes

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) 2020 National Diabetes Statistics Report, diabetes affects more than 34 million Americans, and that number is expected to rise. Even more staggering is that 88 million Americans—approximately 1 in 3—have prediabetes, a condition in which a person’s blood sugar is high, but not high enough to be considered type 2 diabetes. Without medical intervention, prediabetics are likely to become diabetics within 10 years of their initial diagnosis.

Why are primary care doctors important for diabetes management?

According to Alexander Turchin, M.D., a physician and researcher in the Division of Endocrinology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH), patients without a consistent primary care physician (PCP) experienced worse outcomes than those who had a PCP and attended regular checkups.

"We found that primary care physicians provide better care to diabetes patients when compared to other providers in a primary care setting because they were more likely to alter medications and consistently provide lifestyle counseling.”

How can my primary care doctor help me managing diabetes?

Your primary care doctor is your first line of defense for diabetes management. It’s vital to schedule regular checkups with your primary care doctor so they can effectively monitor your overall health and existing conditions, like diabetes.

Depending on the severity of your symptoms or risk factors your doctor may perform blood tests to check for the disease and treat you personally or refer you to a specialist to help monitor your treatment.

If you are in need of a primary care doctor to help you manage diabetes, please call Pomona Valley Health Centers at 909-378-9143. Our doctors are highly experienced in the science of medicine and the art of compassionate care. We look forward to helping you achieve your highest level of health.