November is Diabetes Awareness Month. This month highlights the importance of ongoing screening, education, and management of diabetes. “I didn’t take it seriously until a complication already set in.” We hear this all too often at diabetes education centers. According to the Centers for Disease Control,
26 million adults and children are diagnosed with diabetes. Of that number, about 60% have some form of nerve damage and 28% have retinopathy (an eye condition that may lead to blindness).
Fortunately, with proper care a person with diabetes will lead a long, healthy life. Diagnosing diabetes can be sneaky, though. Most people do not report any symptoms. Some may report thirst, frequent urination, slow healing and fatigue. These are important symptoms to report to a healthcare provider. Taking a risk factor quiz to identify those at greatest risk and routine lab work at a physical exam are the best ways to detect the disease prior to symptoms occurring.
Once diagnosed, self-management education and medical management for the long term is essential. People with diabetes prevent long term complications by learning about meal planning, monitoring, exercise, prevention, coping, and medications. We don’t want to hear, “I’ll never eat fruit again.” If you hear this statement from someone with diabetes, you know he is nervous about his diagnosis. With proper education, a person with diabetes learns to eat the foods he enjoys in the right portions.
Encourage anyone you know with diabetes to seek out more education. There are nationally recognized and accredited programs, like the Inova Diabetes Center – Loudoun , staffed by Certified Diabetes Educators (nurses and dietitians) to help people cope. The Inova Diabetes Center – Loudoun offers diabetes education, which is a covered benefit under Medicare and most major insurers, to help people self-manage diabetes. Classes include a type 2 diabetes basics class and a gestational diabetes class. The Center is located in the Jackson Building, 211 Gibson Street NW, Suite 220. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and some evening hours.
For more information on classes and services visit www.inova.org/diabetes or call
1-877-511-GOAL (4625).
