Living with Diabetes

Because many of its symptoms seem so harmless, often diabetes goes undiagnosed. Recent studies by the American Diabetes Association indicate that early detection and treatment can decrease the chance of developing complications of diabetes.

Some of the symptoms of diabetes are:

If you have one or more of these symptoms, see your doctor right away.

Live life to its fullest by taking care of your disease. Uncontrolled diabetes can cause major health problems, such as amputation or blindness. Therefore, it is important to keep your blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible. Take your diabetes medicine, choose foods wisely, stay active and reduce your stress level.

The Richland Hospital’s diabetes self-management program in Richland Center , WI has been awarded continued Recognition fro the American Diabetes Association. The program was originally Recognized in May of 2001. This program offers high-quality education services to the patients it serves.

 The ADA Education Recognition effort, begun in the fall of 1986, is a voluntary process which assures that approved education programs have met the National Standard for Diabetes Self-Management Education Programs. Programs that achieve Recognition status have a staff of knowledgeable health professionals who can provide state-of-the-art information about diabetes management for participants.

 Self-management education is an essential component of diabetes treatment. One consequence of compliance with the National Standards is the greater consistency in the quality and quantity of education offered to people with diabetes. The participant in an ADA Recognized program will be taught, as needed, self-care skills that will promote better management of his or her diabetes treatment regimen. All approved education programs cover the following topics as needed: diabetes overview; stress and psychosocial adjustment; family involvement and social support; nutrition; exercise and activity; medications; monitoring and use of results; relationships among nutrition, exercise, medication, and blood glucose levels; prevention, detection, and treatment of acute and chronic complications; foot, skin, and dental care; behavior change strategies, goal setting, risk factor reduction, and problem solving; benefits, risks and management options for improving glucose control; preconception care, pregnancy, and gestational diabetes; and use of health care systems and community resources.

Assuring high-quality education for patient self-care is one of the primary goals of the Education Recognition program. Through the support of the health care team and increased knowledge and awareness of diabetes, the patient can assume a major part of the responsibility for his/her diabetes management. Unnecessary hospital admissions and some of the acute and chronic complications of diabetes may be prevented through self-management education.

“The process gives professionals a national standard by which to measure the quality of the services they provide,” commented JoEllen Frawley, Certified Diabetes Educator. “And, of course, it helps consumers to identify these quality programs.”