Diabetes Care

Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. Blood glucose is your main source of energy and comes from the food you eat. Insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas, helps glucose from food get into your cells to be used for energy. Sometimes your body doesn’t make enough—or any—insulin or doesn’t use insulin well. Glucose then stays in your blood and doesn’t reach your cells.

Over time, having too much glucose in your blood can cause health problems. Although diabetes has no cure, you can take steps to manage your diabetes and stay healthy.

Sometimes people call diabetes “a touch of sugar” or “borderline diabetes.” These terms suggest that someone doesn’t really have diabetes or has a less serious case, but every case of diabetes is serious.

Diabetes Education

Diabetes education is an outpatient program for adults with diabetes or the parents of children with diabetes to learn to help manage the condition and make healthy choices. Since family support and involvement are important, a support person is encouraged to attend with the participant.

Diabetes Mellitus education provides education and guidance specifically tailored to the needs of each individual. Many insurance companies are now paying for diabetes education programs if ordered by a physician. To find out if you qualify, please contact your physician.

Our diabetes education addresses the following:

• Blood glucose monitoring – We discuss the befits of testing blood glucose and set target goals
• Diabetes disease process – We discuss and inform the patient about the physiology of diabetes
• Healthy eating – Our medical nutrition therapy program teaches about how foods affect your blood sugar, label reading and meal planning
• Physical activity – Activity and exercise can have a positive effect on blood glucose, we help plan for an active lifestyle
• Medications – We help you understand the action of diabetes medications and safe use
• Acute and chronic complications – We cover the effects of high/low blood sugar affecting nerves eyes, kidneys, heart, and feet
• Psychosocial issues – We discuss and practice stress-reduction techniques
• Health and behavior changes – We work with patients to create goals toward leading a healthier life

The Newman Regional Health diabetes education program maintains the American Diabetes Association Award of Education Recognition for quality diabetes patient education since December 1998. The diabetes education team consists of dedicated professionals who have an interest and additional education in diabetes management.