SJMH Chelsea offers diabetes education & support
Approximately 29.1 million Americans have diabetes, and about one in four are not aware that they have it.
In 2012, 250,000 Michiganders with diabetes were undiagnosed, according to Laura Blodgett, APR Regional Manager of Media and Public Relations for St. Joseph Mercy Health System (SJMHS). "Approximately 60,000 new cases of diabetes occur in Michigan each year," Blodgett added.
2015 HIP Data shows that 6 percent of Manchester adults are diabetic. About two-thirds of those have taken a course to learn how to manage their diabetes, which is what health care providers are encouraging. Whether you're newly diagnosed or have had diabetes for a while, everyone can benefit from education.
In the Manchester Area, Diabetes Self-Management Education classes are available through SJMHS in Chelsea and are covered by most private insurances, as well as by Medicare and Medicaid. Patients need a referral from their physician. If you have diabetes and are interested in self-management education, call 517-593-5280 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
According to Elaine O'Neill, RN, CDE, the Outpatient Diabetes Education Program Coordinator at St. Joseph Mercy, Chelsea, diabetes is a serious disease, but early detection can help prevent problems associated with it.
"Although diabetes is a chronic condition, it is manageable," O'Neill said. "Living a healthy life with diabetes is possible with the discovery of insulin and other treatments."
Managing diabetes can be difficult, but a diabetes educator can help! Diabetes education provides information on how to read food labels, carbohydrate counting and meal planning. It teaches you about medications and side effects, recognizing and treating low blood sugar, coping skills, foot care, ways to reduce complications, sick day care and travel guidelines.
"By implementing lifestyle choices, you can change the course of your future health!" O'Neill said. "Understanding your disease enables you to learn how to better manage diabetes, so you can live a longer, healthier life."
Type 1 diabetes usually is found in children and young adults, but it may appear in older adults. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas stops producing insulin. This results in high blood sugar levels, and can be a medical emergency. Insulin is a hormone needed to convert food into energy. Without insulin, the sugar gets stuck in the blood, and doesn't get into the inside of the cells, to give them their needed energy.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, the body is not producing enough insulin or the body is resistant to insulin, or both. The exact cause is not yet known. Various factors may increase your risk for type 2 diabetes: genetics, ethnicity, obesity and being over age 45.
Common symptoms of diabetes include: fatigue, blurry vision, frequent urination, thirst, and hunger, infections or injuries that heal slowly, dry skin, and numbness, or tingling in the hands or feet. If you are experiencing symptoms, contact your health care provider right away.
Gestational diabetes occurs when pregnant women develop a high blood sugar level. It can lead to health risks for both the mother and the child so it is important to follow your health care provider's guidance. If you've had gestational diabetes, it increases your chances of developing diabetes type 2 later in life.
Pre-diabetes occurs when an individual has a higher than normal blood sugar level, but not enough to be diagnosed with diabetes. Often there are no symptoms associated with it. If you are over the age of 45, have a family history of diabetes, are overweight, inactive, or delivered a baby weighing more than 9 pounds, you should be tested. See your healthcare provider to get an A1C test, and then get re-tested every few years.
Changing your lifestyle may prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. Increasing your physical activity and losing 7% of your weight is key. It is important to eat healthy, low-fat food, exercise regularly--150 minutes per week--and maintain a healthy weight.
Last spring, the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan offered a pre-diabetes class in Manchester "My Choice, My Health" that had 10 participants over a 16-week period, followed up by one workshop per month for the remainder of the year. This class was covered by some insurance companies but was also offered free to qualified participants paid for by the 5 Healthy Towns Foundation through the Manchester Wellness Coalition. Class organizers have secured funding and will be running a similar class again this year - although no date has been set yet."My Choice, My Health," has been proven to prevent diabetes in most cases.
SJMHS offers additional support beyond education classes for area residents with diabetes. A Diabetes Share Group is a free monthly support group for patients with diabetes and their families as a follow-up for those who've been through diabetes education classes. Meetings are held January-May and September-November on the second Tuesday from 3:30-5 pm, at St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea, Atrium Conference Room B. Guest speakers provide information on different topics. Diabetes Share Group is a comfortable place to learn, share and support one another. For more information contact O'Neill at 734-593-5280 or visit the "classes & events" tab and use the LIVEWELL tab on their webpage.
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