What is a Certified Diabetic Educator?
If you have been recently diagnosed with either type 2 diabetes or prediabetes, you should ask your doctor if you can visit a certified diabetic educator. Since there is no diabetes or prediabetes cure, it is important to be well informed and learn about your condition to prevent progression of the disease and complications from diabetes.
A certified diabetic educator is a health professional who has significant clinical experience with diabetic patients and has undergone additional training to specialize in diabetic education. They are certified by the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators.
Prior to meeting with your certified diabetic educator, ask your doctor for a free diabetes meter and learn how to check your own blood sugars. You should check your blood sugar first thing in the morning and after meals. Keep a log of your results and the food that you are eating. Don’t forget to bring this to your appointment.
The certified diabetic educator will be able to spend as much time as you need explaining the changes that have occurred in your body to result in diabetes. She will talk about how diet, exercise and weight loss can influence your daily sugar readings. The certified diabetic educator will review your current diet and then explain to you how you can make improvements. He will also explain the principals of a diabetic diet in detail.
You will meet with the certified diabetic educator routinely and he will review your blood sugar logs and dietary choices. He will often relay this information to your physician and may request that the doctor consider adding medication. Working together as a team will provide the patient with the best chance at good blood sugar control. Even if you were diagnosed with diabetes several years ago it is never too late to visit the certified diabetic educator.