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Hospital offers diabetic education
HOT SPRINGS - Type 2 diabetes is a local and national epidemic affecting both adults and children. Bath Community Hospital recognizes the need to provide tools and education for residents with diabetes to help them take charge of their disease.
Certified diabetic educator Sally Howard, RN, is available Friday afternoons to counsel individuals, free of charge. She will also host a five-part series in conjunction with U.Va. Health Systems Telemedicine and Diabetic Information Department beginning Tuesday, July 17.
"Education is power," says Howard. "Learning to control diabetes isn't just about nutrition and exercise. It's about learning how the disease works. What is a typical day? How does depression and sexual dysfunction factor in with the disease? There's so much to learn. It's a very serious disease that affects just about every organ in the body."
Type 2 diabetes is a silent disease, and many people don't know they have it until it has progressed. According to the American Diabetes Association, there are an estimated 14.6 million people diagnosed with diabetes, and 6.2 million people (or nearly one-third) are unaware they have it. Complications include kidney disease, heart disease and stroke, nerve damage, eye and foot problems.
"It's important for people, especially those who are overweight, to get yearly check-ups with blood work," says Howard. "Early detection of diabetes will decrease the chance of developing complications."
The upcoming, five-part series is open to the public and is scheduled as follows:
• Nuts & Bolts of Diabetes Part I: Tuesday, July 17
• Nuts & Bolts of Diabetes Part II: Thursday, July 19
• I Have Diabetes, Now What Do I Eat Part I: Monday, Aug. 20
• I Have Diabetes, Now What Do I Eat Part II: Wednesday, Aug. 21
• Tools for Weight Loss: Thursday, Sept. 13
To register for classes, call (540) 839-7119.
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