Type 2 Diabetes: Living With the DiseaseWhen to Call a Doctor
Call
911
or other emergency services immediately if you are:
- Unconscious or become very
sleepy unexpectedly. You may have low blood sugar, called
hypoglycemia. While you wait for emergency help,
follow:
- Drowsy, confused, breathing fast, and
your breath smells fruity. You may
have high blood sugar, called hyperglycemia. A life-threatening condition
called
diabetic ketoacidosis could be present.
Call a doctor immediately if
you are vomiting and cannot keep down liquids and:
- Your blood sugar is 300 mg/dL or higher.
Call a doctor if you:
- Are sick for more than 2
days (unless it is a mild illness, such as a cold), and you
have:
- Have a blood sugar level that stays below
the target range after you eat some
quick-sugar food.
- Have a blood sugar level that
stays high after you take a missed dose of insulin or oral
diabetes medicines or after you take an extra dose of
insulin (if prescribed by the doctor).
- Have
frequent problems with high or low blood sugar levels.
Your insulin dose or schedule may need to be changed.
- Have difficulty knowing when
your blood sugar is low (hypoglycemia unawareness).
- Have problems following
the meal plan or getting physical activity, and you want help.
Watchful Waiting
Watchful waiting is a period of
time during which you and your doctor observe your symptoms or
condition without changing your treatment plan. Watchful waiting is not
appropriate if you:
- Are having high or low blood sugar levels
frequently.
- Begin to notice symptoms of complications from
diabetes. Early treatment of complications can prevent or delay worsening of
the condition.
Who to See
Health professionals who may be
involved in your treatment for type 2 diabetes include:
If you have signs of diabetic complications, you may
be referred to a specialist. For more information, see the topic
Type 2 Diabetes: Living With Complications.
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