|
|
|
|
“Learning as much as you can about diabetes is a proven way to prevent and manage the disease,” says Adrienne McCracken, RN, Diabetes Educator at Daviess Community Hospital’s Diabetes Management Center. “And, Thursday, November 5th is the day for those with diabetes, their family, and friends, to learn more by taking advantage of the free screenings and information at our Diabetes Health and Wellness Fair.”
The Diabetes Health and Wellness Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to noon. at the Eastside Park Community Building in Washington. Participants will be able to take advantage of free health screenings, including blood sugar, blood pressure, body mass index, bone density, and cholesterol, and educational programs. They can also speak with a variety of medical and healthcare professionals and diabetes product vendors.
Three short programs will also be available at no charge. At 9:30 a.m., Vasdev Lohano, DCH Endocrinologist will present, “Becoming a Diabetes Success Story.” At 10:30, participants will be able to learn how to “Get Fit While You Sit” and at 11, Casey Persohn, Registered Dietitian will present “What Can I Eat: The Question Every Diabetic Asks.”
The number of people with diabetes is growing and the disease is serious. According to information from the Indiana State Department of Health, in diabetes prevalence, overall, 8.5% of Indiana’s adults (400,000) reported having been told they have diabetes. The national average is 8.0%. This prevalence is a significant increase from 2001, when 6.5% of adults reported diabetes. The prevalence for males and females was similar (8.8% vs. 8.1%, respectively), while black respondents were more likely than white or Hispanic respondents to report diabetes (14.3% vs. 8.3% and 5.4%, respectively). The difference between white and Hispanic prevalence was not significant. The prevalence of diabetes increased with age, with adults aged 55 years and older significantly more likely to report the condition. Similar differences were found in household income, as adults with household incomes less than $25,000 were more likely to have been told they have diabetes than those with household incomes greater than $25,000.
Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. The cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles.
Early detection and good management of diabetes are important to prevent development of complications of the disease. The chance for developing circulatory problems, heart disease, and blindness is greater when diabetes is not detected early and/or blood sugar is poorly controlled.
For more information about the Fair or about diabetes, contact the hospital’s Diabetes Management Center at 254-8866.
 |
|