Dr. Nieca Goldberg on Diabetes

Nieca Goldberg, M.D. is a physician to thousands of patients in her medical practice, Total Heart Care, and a national spokesperson for the American Heart Association’s Go Red campaign. By using her knowledge and expertise of how different diseases, including diabetes, affect the heart, she has authored Dr. Nieca Goldberg’s Guide to Women’s Health. Here, she explains how paying attention to total health can change the diabetic’s life.

What are some tips you have for diabetes management?

A really important thing is to learn how to use a glucometer, so a diabetic can check their blood sugar. That helps them along with how to manage sugar levels and the impact their diets are having on sugar levels. You need to get a total check up when you learn you have diabetes: Go to an eye doctor and get a total checkup from a general doctor. Being meticulous about your health not only pays off when you do have diabetes, but when you don’t have diabetes.

What are some specific health factors the diabetic should keep in mind?

People with diabetes have to be conscious; they have to be exquisitely careful of preventing infection in the feet and legs. Sometimes diabetes affects the nerves to the feet because your foot is not as keen as it would be if you did not have diabetes. So, not using clean utensils when getting a pedicure or grooming feet is unsafe for people without diabetes let alone people with diabetes. Some of these things people just don’t off the bat think about—those things are truly important.

Where do diet and exercise play a part in controlling diabetes?

Diabetic patients do not have to totally eliminate carbs, but instead watch what they are eating. They should focus on grains and beans—things like that. Now, the people who are eating chocolate cake three times a day, well, that’s not a good thing. Exercise can also help increase the body’s sensitivity to the action of insulin. And insulin, of course, helps the metabolism of glucose.

What can a diabetic offer to friends and family?

Diabetes is a family problem. And what these people may be able to do is influence the people around them who do not yet have diabetes, but may be at risk.

SIGNATURE QUESTIONS

What is the belief you personally go to during times of change?

My personal belief when I go through signs of change is that I am entering into a new adventure.

The best thing about change is…

…that it is an antidote to boredom.

What is the best change you have ever made?

The best change was starting my own practice so that I could give women personalized and comprehensive healthcare at the same time I can manage my own time. So everyone is healthy.

For more information about Dr. Nieca Goldberg, visit www.niecagoldbergmd.com.