Question 1

how do a diabetic specialist and a diabetic educator differ?

Accepted Answer

May be the same: A diabetes specialist is a professional whose career is in the care of patients with diabetes, including diabetes educators. Usually diabetes educators have nursing or nutrition backgrounds. Other diabetes specialists are physicians who are subspecialty (fellowship) trained in endocrinology/diabetes following their training in either internal medicine or general pediatrics.

Question 2

if you have type two diabetes should you see a diabetes specialist or a regular m.d.?

Accepted Answer

Both: It is best to see both as the regular md will be monitoring your over all health and keeping you up to date on tetanus, shingles vaccines, cancer checks  injuries ect.     
The diabetes specialist wil be closely monitoring your a1c readings, blood glucose readings and the need for adjusting your Insulin or pills, which the regular md would not have as much expertise.

Question 3

why do some people with diabetes have to see a diabetes specialist?

Accepted Answer

If control achieved: without low blood sugars, not necessary- otherwise diabetes specialists know the newer medicines more than most primary care MDs

Question 4

how come people with diabetes sometimes have to see a diabetes specialist?

Accepted Answer

Inadequate treatment: You may not be responding to treatment as expected, or may be non-compliant.  Your pcp may want backup, or more complete diagnostic testing..  If your glucose levels are not well managed, please consider seeing a specialist

Question 5

is eating a lot of fruits lead to diabetes? if a diabetes specialist can asnwere, will be thankful.

Accepted Answer

Yes, but only if...: In general, one type of food doesn't cause anything. It's the whole picture that tells the story. With diabetes, overeating foods or drinks that have a lot of sugars or other carbohydrates (meaning a diet high in sugar or carbs) leads to diabetes. Reason is that sugars and carbs (especially simple starches) force one's pancreas to make more insulin. Over some years, pancreas fails from overuse.

Question 6

are there specialists that do dental work for diabetics?

Accepted Answer

Dental work,diabetes: No.  Any dentist should be able to treat your dental problem competently.

Question 7

53 y.o. diabetic male, have an upcoming appt with podiatrist as i think i may have gout. appt is a few weeks out and i am absolutely dying to do some exercise - 30 mins reclining stationary bike. can i do this or should i wait to see specialist?

Accepted Answer

: PODIATIRS NOT NEEDED TO DIAGNOIS GOUT.  Your Body is talking to you.
Listen and take good notes. 
Like when does it start/stop? 
Where does it go? 
What makes it better/worse? 
How long does it last?  
Medication helps/worsens?

Share with your Drs and you all will figure it out.

Question 8

should i see a specialist for gestational diabetes, or can my regular doctor take care of it?

Accepted Answer

Gestational DM: This should be managed with your obstetrician, sometimes in conjunction with a maternal-fetal medicine subspecialist.

Question 9

how can eye specialists determine the difference between diabetic and hypertensive retinopathy?

Accepted Answer

Exam and testing: Dilated fundus exam--diabetic and hypertensive retinopathy typically have different appearances, however they can appear similar with bleeding and ischemic areas of the retina.  Areas requiring treatment to save vision (other than improving the underlying disease) can be found using imaging and angiogram diagnostic tests.

Question 10

what type of specialist should i seek out if i am trying to find out the cause of repeated frozen joints? i don't have a hx of diabetes, htn. i'm pretty healthy but keep getting frozen shoulders and now my hip is losing rom?

Accepted Answer

: Work up is ideally coordinated by a primary care physician that can refer as needed to either a rheumatologist or Ortho doc depending on findings on exam and initial work up. Physical therapy is usually part of the treatment.

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Doctor answers about:

Diabetic specialists

A member asked:

How do a diabetic specialist and a diabetic educator differ?

A member asked:

If you have type two diabetes should you see a diabetes specialist or a regular m.d.?

A member asked:

Why do some people with diabetes have to see a diabetes specialist?

A member asked:

How come people with diabetes sometimes have to see a diabetes specialist?

A member asked:

Is eating a lot of fruits lead to diabetes? if a diabetes specialist can asnwere, will be thankful.

A member asked:

Are there specialists that do dental work for diabetics?

A member asked:

53 y.o. diabetic male, have an upcoming appt with podiatrist as i think i may have gout. appt is a few weeks out and i am absolutely dying to do some exercise - 30 mins reclining stationary bike. can i do this or should i wait to see specialist?

A member asked:

Should i see a specialist for gestational diabetes, or can my regular doctor take care of it?

A member asked:

How can eye specialists determine the difference between diabetic and hypertensive retinopathy?

A member asked:

What type of specialist should i seek out if i am trying to find out the cause of repeated frozen joints? i don't have a hx of diabetes, htn. i'm pretty healthy but keep getting frozen shoulders and now my hip is losing rom?

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