Take Control of Your Health and Live Well with Diabetes
The Diabetes Education Program at Great River Health can help you live
well with diabetes by giving skills and attitudes for controlling the
condition. Our Diabetes Education Program holds the American Diabetes
Association Education Recognition Certificate for quality diabetes self-management
programs. Recognition assures that our education program meets the National
Standards for Diabetes Self-management Education programs.
What Is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic (ongoing) health condition where blood sugar levels
are high. To understand what diabetes is, it helps to understand more
about what happens during digestion. When you eat, some of your food is
broken down into sugar (glucose). This sugar travels in your blood to
all your body’s cells. Insulin helps sugar move from your blood
into your cells. Insulin is a hormone that is made by the beta cells in
the pancreas. Your cells need sugar for energy. Sugar from food makes
your blood sugar levels go up. Insulin lowers your blood sugar level by
helping sugar move from your blood into your cells. Without treatment,
diabetes can lead to serious health problems.
Types of Diabetes
When you have diabetes, your pancreas makes little or no insulin or your
body prevents the insulin you do make from working right, depending on
the type of diabetes that you have. There are 3 common types: Type 1,
Type 2, and gestational diabetes, but Type 2 is the most common.
Diabetes types are characterized by the following:
Type 1 diabetes: The body makes little or no insulin, so the person with
Type 1 diabetes must take insulin daily. This type of diabetes is usually
first diagnosed in childhood. Symptoms include frequent urination, unusual
thirst, extreme hunger, unusual weight loss, extreme fatigue, and irritability.
Type 2 diabetes: People with Type 2 insulin produce some insulin, but not
enough, and the body prevents the insulin from working correctly. Most
people with Type 2 diabetes are adults who are overweight. Symptoms are
similar to Type 1 symptoms but also include frequent infections, blurred
vision, injuries that are slow to heal, and a sensation of tingling or numbness.
Gestational diabetes: About 3 to 8% of pregnant women develop gestational
diabetes, but blood sugars usually return to normal once the baby is born.
However, gestational diabetes can increase your risk of developing Type
2 diabetes later in life.
What Is Prediabetes?
Prediabetes is a condition where your blood sugar level is higher than
normal, but not high enough to be classified as having type 2 diabetes.
Without medical intervention, prediabetes can progress to type 2 diabetes
in approximately 10 years or less. Prediabetes can cause the same damage
to the organs, such as your heart, kidneys, nerves, and eyes, like type
2 diabetes. Fortunately, there is good news: The progression of prediabetes
to type 2 diabetes is not inevitable. Being diagnosed with prediabetes
offers you an opportunity to improve your overall health and prevent its
progression to type 2 diabetes. Often prediabetes has no signs or symptoms,
but a darkened area of skin called acanthosis nigricans may be present
and it is one of the few signs of prediabetes. The common areas that may
be affected include the neck, armpits, elbows, knees, and knuckles.
How Is Diabetes Diagnosed?
The following tests can pinpoint a diabetes diagnosis:
The fasting glucose test (FGT) measures blood sugar when you haven’t
eaten anything for at least 8 hours.
The glucose tolerance test (GTT) measures blood sugar after you haven’t
eaten anything for at least 8 hours and 2 hours after you drink a sugary
drink provided by a doctor or laboratory professional.
The A1C test result reflects your average blood sugar level for the past
two to three months. Specifically, the A1C test measures what percentage
of your hemoglobin — a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen
— is coated with sugar (glycated). The higher your A1C level, the
poorer your blood sugar control. If you have previously been diagnosed
with diabetes, the higher the A1C level, the higher your risk of diabetes
complications.
Our Diabetes Education Classes
Diabetes education classes are led by our education team, which includes
a registered dietitian, a physical therapist, and a pharmacist.
These classes include:
Annual Diabetes Review: An annual diabetes review is available to people who have completed the
Diabetes Education Program. It includes individualized education and an
update on self-management skills.
Continuous Glucose Monitoring Test: A tiny glucose sensor is placed under your skin for several days. The
sensor continuously measures the glucose in your tissue fluids. At the
end of the test, the sensor is removed. Graphs of your glucose levels
during the test can help you and your healthcare team adjust your diabetes
treatment.
Medical Nutrition Therapy: This type of therapy involves working with a registered dietitian. The
purpose of medical nutrition therapy is to help people improve diabetes
control with self-management skills in nutrition, physical activity, and
glucose monitoring. It also may prevent or slow the development of diabetes
complications. Educational needs are determined by clients and their physicians.
Insurance coverage varies.
Diabetes Self-Management Classes: Our classes help people minimize the impact their disease has on their
lives. Our specially trained nurses and dietitian educators will give
you specific information, teach self-care skills, and provide ongoing help.
Should I Take Diabetes Education Classes?
Diabetes education classes are for people who:
Recently were diagnosed with diabetes
Want to learn how to manage diabetes
Are making a change in their diabetes treatment
Have concerns or questions about diabetes
If group classes don’t fit your needs, individual sessions can be
arranged. A relative or friend may come with you at no charge.
Class topics include:
Being active
Coping with diabetes
Eating healthy
Monitoring your blood sugar
Reducing health risks
Solving diabetes problems
Using medicines
Insulin pumps and glucose sensors
Enroll in a Class
You can enroll in a class with a physician’s referral. Talk to your
physician or healthcare provider about the benefits of diabetes education.
For more information, please call
319-768-4165.
