Diabetes Interest Group Looks at Emergency Preparation

Nearly 26 million Americans – 8.3 percent of the U.S. population — have diabetes, a group of serious diseases characterized by high blood glucose levels that result from defects in the body’s ability to produce and/or use insulin. Of these, 7 million do not know they have the diasese and another 79 million adults have pre-diabetes. Diabetes can lead to severely debilitating or fatal complications, such as heart disease, blindness, kidney disease, and amputations, if not kept in control. However, people with diabetes and pre-diabetes can take positive steps to manage the disease/condition and lower their risk of complications.

As part of its’ community outreach activities, the Diabetes Eduation Program at Wood County Hospital hosts its monthly Diabetes Interest Group for individuals who have diabetes, or their significant others, from September through April each year. Each session covers curernt topics and information about diabetes including heart health, medication reviews, healthy eating, exercise and self-care management.

Registered dietitians and other health care professionals will speak at each of the Thursday sessions.

Upcoming dates and topics include:

Thursday, Nov. 10, noon – 1 p.m. “Preparing for Emergencies.” The speaker will be Eric Larson, EMS outreach emergency preparedness coordinator at the hospital.

Thursday, Dec. 16, 6 to 7 p.m., “Using artificial sweeteners over the holidays.” The presenter is Jane Graffin, clinical nutrition manager/diabetes education program coordinator.

The Diabetes Interest Group is free and open to anyone who is interested in learning about diabetes. Free blood glucose screenings are available at the meetings. Lunch may be purchased at a reduced rate for those attending the programs, or attendees may bring their own lunch. The programs are held in the hospital meeting rooms.

For more inforamtion, call 419-354-8863, option 3 or visit online www.woodcountyhospital.org/classes.