Diabetology is a medical specialization covering knowledge in the field of diabetes therapy and prevention. Doctors specializing in diabetes are a very desirable and needed group – diabetes has been recognized as a civilization disease, and research shows that very young children suffer from diabetes more and more often. Constant care of a diabetologist is essential at every stage of the disease. Unfortunately, there are few diabetologists in Poland, which is why the queues to diabetes clinics are systematically getting longer. An alternative to care under the National Health Fund is to go to a diabetologist who treats privately, although there are long queues in surgeries that provide medical services for a fee.
To become a diabetologist, you must complete a specialization in diabetology. After completing the specialization, it is necessary to complete the appropriate course ending with a state examination in the field of diabetology. -> After its completion (it lasts 5 years), you must pass the National Specialization Examination in the field of diabetes. After completing the specialization, it is necessary to complete the appropriate course ending with a state examination in the field of diabetology.
The diabetologist is responsible for the treatment and prevention of diabetes. Currently, a lot of emphasis is placed on the prevention of diabetes. According to data from the World Health Organization, diabetes affects 5 percent of the population and the number of cases is constantly growing. Diabetes has also been recognized as a civilization disease.
Diabetes mellitus is a disease that comes in several varieties. Type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes are the most commonly reported cases. Type 1 diabetes is a very high insulin deficiency in the human body. Type 2 diabetes is a relatively lower insulin deficiency and the accompanying resistance of the patient’s tissues to its effects.
Diabetes mellitus is a disease that must not be taken lightly, as it often leads to serious complications and, in extreme cases, to death. The most dangerous complications related to diabetes include: the occurrence of strokes, acute renal failure, blindness, cardiac disorders and limb amputations.
Unfortunately, diabetes cannot be cured and the disease is progressive. If diabetes is left untreated or not properly treated, numerous health complications can develop. For people with diabetes, it is extremely important to remain under the constant care of a diabetologist and to maintain regular medical consultations.
A diabetologist helps diagnose and treat:
- type 1 diabetes,
- type 2 diabetes,
- diabetes arising during pregnancy – gestational diabetes,
- diabetic ketoacidosis while treating diabetes
- diabetic neuropathy – nervous disorders,
- diabetic nephropathy – kidney disorders,
- hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia,
- other complications from diabetes.
See: Using the same needle when administering insulin promotes hyperglycaemia and hypoglycaemia
You should see a diabetologist if you notice any signs or symptoms of diabetes. Some of the key symptoms are as follows:
- experiencing frequent thirst
- frequent urination,
- blurred vision and confusion
- weight loss
- constant feeling of fatigue,
- mood swings and irritation,
- high glucose levels,
- slowly healing wounds,
- painful urination and irregular periods in women,
- frequent skin infections,
- increase in sugar levels during pregnancy.
When treating and diagnosing diabetes, diabetologists may ask you to undergo blood tests and other laboratory tests. Some of them are:
- fasting blood glucose test
- random blood glucose testing (you can do it yourself at home using a glucometer),
- glycated hemoglobin [HbA1C] test for blood sugar levels,
- oral glucose tolerance test for blood sugar,
- urine protein test
- urine ketone test.
Also read: Diabetic profile in diagnosis. What are the earliest symptoms of diabetes?
The mainstay of diabetes treatment is a visit to a diabetologist and a diagnosis. It often happens that a doctor of other specialization suspects the presence of diabetes in a patient, but only consultation with a diabetologist is a guarantee of confirmation or exclusion of the disease.
The basis of a diabetic diagnosis is constant monitoring of the level of glycemia, i.e. the presence of glucose in the blood. Diabetics are required to regularly check their glucose and report the results to their diabetologist on a regular basis.
Based on the results and the interview, the diabetologist makes a decision about the selection and form of insulin therapy. In addition, the diabetologist makes appropriate dietary recommendations.
In managing diabetes, a proper diet is no less important than taking medications. It is the foods that the patient is eating that are responsible for fluctuating insulin levels in the blood, and only a special diet can normalize the patient’s insulin level.
In addition to pharmacotherapy and diet, a diabetologist is responsible for monitoring the patient’s condition and, when the situation requires it, referring them to doctors of other specialties, usually cardiologists, neurologists, ophthalmologists or surgeons.
Diabetologist – visit price
Unfortunately, there are relatively few diabetologists in Poland, which is why patients are often forced to undergo medical consultations outside the area of the National Health Fund. Depending on the size of the city in which the patient wants to consult a diabetologist, the cost of a one-off visit varies between approx. PLN 50 and over PLN 200. The given prices also apply to the costs of a visit to a pediatric diabetologist.
It is worth remembering that when choosing therapy in a private doctor’s office, we will also have to bear the costs of tests recommended by a diabetologist.
Online consultation is a new form of consultation with a diabetologist. These types of virtual visits are a perfect solution in emergency cases or when, based on daily observation, the patient has doubts as to the amount of insulin dose that should be taken.