The Davis County Hospital continues to serve the health care needs of the community by providing diabetic education classes to the 617 adults in the community who live with chronic diabetes. The classes will cover such topics as understanding the basics of diabetes, self-blood glucose monitoring, medication management and meal planning.

Preventing irreversible damage that can be caused by uncontrolled diabetes is the ultimate goal of health care providers. Diabetes isn’t just about controlling numbers, it’s about preventing  uncontrolled numbers causing permanent  damage to your heart, kidneys, eyes, circulation system.

  Diabetes, when uncontrolled, can damage the kidneys and cause them to fail. High levels of blood sugar make the kidneys filter too much blood. All this extra work is hard on the filters. After many years, they start to leak. In time, the stress of overwork causes the kidneys to lose their filtering ability. Waste products then start to build up in the blood. Finally, the kidneys fail. This failure is very serous. A person with kidney failure may need to have a kidney transplant or to have the blood filtered by machine (dialysis).

 Uncontrolled diabetes can also cause or lead to coronary (heart) disease, a heart attack or stroke. Lifestyle changes, such as choosing foods wisely and being physically active, as well as taking mediations can help. Every step you take will help. The closer your numbers are to your targets, the better your chance of preventing heart disease or cutting your risk for another heart attack.

 ”Staying up-to-date on the latest treatments allows diabetics to control their diabetes instead of allowing it to control them,” says Davis County Hospital Dietician, Angie Birkner.   Patients who attend the Davis County Hospital diabetes education class, even those who have had diabetes for years, will discover new ways to live better lives with their diabetes.

 Davis County Hospital’s education class offers a team of diabetes specialists to help you and your physician effectively manage your diabetes. The staff is dedicated to the education of those affected by diabetes and others involved in their care by providing self-management education, resources and support and will focus on the following topics:

 Self-management

Self-management means diabetics taking charge of diabetes by monitoring what they eat, taking their medications, exercising appropriately, monitoring their blood sugar level and knowing what to do in special situations.

Self-management does not replace regular contact with a physician – it simply allows diabetics to fully participate in the care their physician knows is best for them.

 Getting Started

Education about diabetes is crucial, for diabetics, their family members and/or friends. The proper management of diabetes can include others to help including physicians, Davis County Hospital diabetes education staff and others who also have diabetes.

 Course formats

Whether diabetics have an individual consultation, or participate in a group session, our program is tailored to individual needs. A physician determines which setting is best for you.

A referral by a physician and program registration is required. Registration will be coordinated through your physician. Most insurance plans cover diabetes education, but you are responsible for checking the provisions of your policy. If you don’t have a physician, call Paula Edwards at 641-664-2145, ext. 4001 for a referral to a physician who can treat your diabetes.

Taking control

If you have diabetes, you are at high risk for kidney disease, nerve damage, eye disease, strokes and heart attacks. You can learn self-management techniques to prevent, postpone or reduce the impact of these complications. Working with your physician, Davis County Hospital diabetes specialists will help you learn how to take good care of yourself.

 “You can make the ultimate difference in the quality of your life and we are here to help you do it,” says diabetic specialist, Paula Edwards, RN.

 The eight hour course will be available to diabetics and their family on monthly bases beginning Tuesday, April 1^st and Wednesday, April 2^nd.  The diabetes specialist will be offering the classes at a variety of times to help fit the busy schedules of Davis County residents. For more information regarding the course can contact Paula Edwards by the calling the Davis County Hospital at 641-664-2145, ext. 4001.