Managing diabetes can be challenging due to the extra needs of blood glucose monitoring, eating right, taking medications, and getting enough exercise. But keeping blood glucose levels steady is critical not just for day-to-day wellbeing, but to help protect your health in the future.

A self-care plan can help you stay motivated when it comes to diabetes control. Motivation and support can also come from a whole team of specialists in different medical fields. These experts are available to help you delay or prevent diabetes-related health concerns. Learn about 9 important specialists ready to support you on your wellness journey.

What specialists should you see for diabetes-related health conditions?

You’re not alone in managing diabetes. Depending on your symptoms and unique needs, you may benefit from receiving specialized care from 1 or more of these 9 specialists:

• Audiology care for hearing loss
• Cardiology care for heart conditions
• Dental care for oral health
• Nephrology care for kidney disease
• Ophthalmology care for diabetic eye diseases
• Pharmacy care for diabetes management
• Podiatry care for diabetes-related foot complications
• Reproductive health care for sexual health issues
• Therapy for mental health concerns[1] 

Audiology care for hearing loss

Did you know that high blood glucose can damage blood vessels and nerves in the inner ear? And low blood sugar affects how nerve signals travel between the inner ear and brain. This means that a person with diabetes is twice as likely to develop hearing loss compared to those of the same age who don’t have diabetes.^[1] It’s also possible for certain diabetes medications to affect hearing.^[2]

Helping prevent hearing loss: You can help protect your hearing by keeping blood glucose levels in a healthy range and limiting exposure to loud noises. Regular hearing tests are also important because you might not notice early warning signs.^[3]

Who to see: Audiologists perform hearing tests and find the right hearing devices for your needs. You may also see an ear, nose, and throat specialist (otolaryngologist).

Cardiology care for heart conditions

A person with diabetes is twice as likely to have a heart attack or stroke—and at a younger age —than someone who doesn’t have diabetes.^[4] They’re also more prone to conditions like high blood sugar and high cholesterol, which damage blood vessels.[5] These are scary statistics, but they aren’t true for everyone.[6]

Helping prevent heart conditions: You can make healthy lifestyle changes to help protect your heart. For instance, you can choose heart-healthy foods, be physically active, forego tobacco products, and take blood pressure or cholesterol-lowering medications.^[7]

Who to see: A cardiologist performs heart tests and provides treatments to protect your heart health.

Dental care for oral health

Not everyone knows that bacteria in the mouth thrive on glucose in saliva, increasing the risk for gum (periodontal) disease. As a result, people with diabetes often have more severe gum infections that are difficult to treat.^[8] Gum disease affects the bones that hold teeth in place—resulting in pain, difficulty chewing, and tooth loss.[9]

Diabetes also causes a dry mouth, leading to ulcers, infections, and tooth decay.^[10] Loose teeth or red, swollen gums that bleed easily are signs that all’s not well. People with diabetes are also more at risk for thrush, a yeast infection that causes painful white patches inside the mouth.^[11]

Helping prevent gum disease: Good oral hygiene is key to helping protect your gums and teeth. You can help prevent problems by using fluoride toothpaste to brush your teeth twice a day and flossing once daily. Also, consider seeking help to quit tobacco products, which can inflame gums.^[12]

Who to see: Dentists provide routine checkups and cleanings, along with regular oral X-rays. Depending on your unique needs, they may recommend more frequent visits. Another benefit of good oral health: Studies suggest proper gum disease care can improve blood glucose levels.^[13]

Nephrology care for kidney disease

It’s possible for high blood glucose and high blood pressure to damage kidneys. In fact, as many as 1 in 3 people with diabetes develop chronic kidney disease (CKD).^[14] CKD affects how well the kidneys filter waste from the blood.[15]

When the kidneys don’t work properly, waste builds up in the blood. Treatments can slow the disease and help lower the risk of kidney failure.[16]

Helping prevent kidney disease: Try to cut back on salt and take medications as prescribed. These simple steps help to keep your blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels within a healthy range.^[17]

Who to see: A nephrologist (kidney specialist) detects kidney disease, which rarely causes symptoms in its early stage.[18] Your primary care provider (PCP) or endocrinologist may also play a role by ordering more frequent blood tests to monitor kidney function.

Ophthalmology care for diabetic eye diseases

Eye care is important because prolonged high blood glucose levels can damage blood vessels in eyes.^[19] The resulting leakage, swelling, or scarring can cause different types of diabetic eye diseases.[20]

Diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of vision loss in people with diabetes.^[21] Having diabetes also makes a person twice as likely to develop cataracts and glaucoma.^[22]

Helping prevent eye disease: You can lower your risk of eye problems by managing blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.^[23]

Who to see: Ophthalmologists perform advanced tests to detect diabetes-related eye damage. Treatments are most effective at preventing vision loss when diabetic eye diseases are caught early.

Pharmacy care for diabetes management

Diabetes occurs when blood glucose levels are too high. Depending on the diabetes type and severity, insulin or other medications can help keep blood glucose levels in a healthy range. And almost everyone with diabetes needs occasional support with monitoring and injection techniques.

Helping prevent high blood glucose: In addition to medications, you can stabilize blood glucose by following a diabetes-friendly meal plan, being physically active, cutting back on alcohol and tobacco, and finding healthy ways to manage stress.^[24]

Who to see: Pharmacists can help you understand your treatment plan, including how to properly use glucose monitors and insulin therapies. They can also identify potential medication and supplement interactions and side effects. Some pharmacists can also counsel patients about dietary and lifestyle changes.^[25]

Podiatry care for diabetes-related foot complications

Up to half of people with diabetes lose feeling in their legs and feet (diabetic neuropathy) when chronic high blood glucose levels damage nerves.^[26]

About 15% of people with diabetes develop open sores (ulcers) on their feet. ^[27]  But many don’t notice these wounds due to numbed nerves. High blood glucose can slow healing, making foot ulcers more difficult to treat.[28]

Helping prevent foot problems: To lower your risk of foot ulcers, it’s important to trim your toenails, check daily for blisters or wounds, and moisturize your feet to prevent cracking. You can also improve blood flow by moving more and staying physically active.^[29]

Who to see: A podiatrist is a foot specialist who performs exams for diabetes-related foot conditions. You may also see a neurologist (nerve specialist) for diabetic neuropathy or a wound specialist for foot ulcers.

Reproductive health care for sexual health issues

Did you know that poor blood flow and nerve damage from diabetes can also affect sexual health? Males with diabetes are twice as likely to have low testosterone, which can affect sexual desire (libido).^[30] Diabetes also increases a male’s risk of erectile dysfunction. Females with diabetes are twice as likely to experience vaginal dryness, which impacts sexual desire and pleasure. ^[31]

Helping prevent sexual health issues: Your sex life and your entire body benefit when you manage blood glucose, eat healthy, stay physically active, and reduce stress.^[32]

Who to see: Your PCP or endocrinologist may refer you to a urologist who specializes in the male reproductive system, or an OB-GYN who specializes in the female reproductive system.

Therapy for mental health concerns

Living with diabetes can be overwhelming, and depression is 3 times more common for people with diabetes. ^[33] And as many as half of them develop diabetes distress. ^[34] This combination of stress, anxiety, and depression often stems from the daily demands of managing a chronic condition like diabetes.

Untreated mental health issues can worsen diabetes and lead to complications. Unfortunately, as many as 2 in 3 people with diabetes and mental health issues don’t get the diagnosis and treatments they need.^[35]

Helping prevent mental health issues: Taking care of your physical health can help your mental health.[LH2]  Try to include some type of physical activity into each day. It’s also important to eat healthy, limit alcohol and caffeine, and make sure you’re getting enough sleep.^[36]

Who to see: A mental health counselor, such as a psychologist, licensed counselor, or social worker, provides therapies that can help you manage mental health conditions. Your PCP or psychiatrist can prescribe antidepressants or other medications, if needed.

A team approach to diabetes care

Having the right team of medical professionals in place can make a huge difference in how well you feel when you have diabetes. Talk to your endocrinologist or PCP if you have health concerns. These experts can refer you to the right specialists to see when you have diabetes. By partnering with them, you’ll receive the personalized care you need to help enjoy life to the fullest.

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