How an Internist Can Help You Manage Diabetes

You can trust an internist for most of your basic medical concerns. These physicians are well-versed in preventive medicine and can help adults achieve and maintain their best possible health. This is also true if you have a chronic illness, most of which are largely manageable through mindful lifestyle changes. 

With a concierge membership at the office of Jeffrey H. Graf, MD, on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, New York, you have increased access to a personal internist. Concierge medicine puts an emphasis on wellness and disease prevention, and Dr. Graf is prepared to help you manage your chronic illness with premier care.

Diabetes management is among his top specialties, and he can help mitigate your risk of experiencing serious complications of the disease, including:

• Vision loss
• Neuropathy
• Chronic kidney disease
• Foot ulcers
• Hearing loss

The main objective of diabetes care is to keep your blood sugar (glucose) within a healthy range. With Dr. Graf’s expert assistance, you can maintain your quality of life and avoid severe diabetes complications.

Detailed health tracking

Internal medicine is a broad specialty that examines your health as a whole, not as individual parts as defined by specific organs and systems. Dr. Graf approaches your health care from numerous angles and provides various diagnostic tests and health screenings to track your physical and mental health.

If you notice any new symptoms or changes, a detailed examination may reveal the contributing factors and point to helpful adjustments in your care plan. This is certainly true in the case of diabetes management.

Research indicates that people with metabolic syndrome are five times more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes and a host of other chronic illnesses. Metabolic syndrome is a collection of systemic health disturbances that include high blood pressure, high glucose, and high cholesterol. 

In an effort to lower your diabetes risk or reduce the impact of your diabetes, Dr. Graf monitors these health parameters during your routine visits.

Diet planning

For all types of diabetes and prediabetes, nutrition is an essential part of long-term care that can reduce your need for medications. Both diet and physical activity are catalytic for diabetes improvement, and you should plan on making a strong effort to eat healthily and exercise regularly if you have diabetes.

Excess body fat affects your body’s ability to utilize the hormone insulin effectively. People with Type 1 diabetes must take insulin daily because their bodies don’t produce it. People with Type 2 diabetes are often advised to lose weight so their bodies can use insulin more efficiently. 

Dr. Graf helps you build a new diet according to your specific goals, like weight management and blood glucose regulation. Many people with diabetes should aim to eat around the same times every day. Dr. Graf advises you on when and how much you should eat and recommends limiting:

• Sodium-rich foods
• Saturated fats
• Trans fats
• Fried foods
• Sugary foods
• Drinks with added sugars (sodas, fruit juices, and energy drinks)
• Alcohol

Prioritize a well-rounded, whole foods diet with minimal added sugars and preservatives. Dr. Graf can help you integrate vegetables, fruits, grains, lean protein, and nonfat or low-fat dairy in your diet. 

An internist can also help you implement exercise into your routine — even if exercise hasn’t been a part of your lifestyle for years. While making recommendations, Dr. Graf takes into account conditions and complications that limit your ability to exercise safely, such as diabetic neuropathy or vision loss. 

Members of Dr. Graf’s concierge program also have the ability to work with a personal health and wellness coach through the SENS Solution Wellness Program. These certified coaches can help encourage Members to reach their lifestyle goals through regular support. 

Prescription management

Internists are qualified to prescribe and manage your medications, and our helpful staff makes it easy. Simply tell Dr. Graf which pharmacy you prefer, and he makes sure your prescriptions are ready for you to pick up there shortly after your visit. 

Not everyone with diabetes requires medications, especially those with Type 2 who can effectively manage their blood glucose with a balanced diet and an active lifestyle. All patients with Type 1 diabetes must take insulin, and many people with Type 2 diabetes do, too. You might require additional medications for glucose management. 

A concierge membership at the office of Jeffrey H. Graf, MD, locks you in for reliable and consistent diabetes care — with same-day and next-day visits for urgent issues. Call our office or schedule your next internal medicine visit online today.