Diabetes Education:
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a disorder in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, a hormone that is needed to change sugar, starches, and other foods that we eat into energy needed for daily life. When your body does not produce insulin, or the insulin is not effective, sugar builds up in the blood.
Warning signs:
-You may feel very tired
-You may have blurred vision
-You may feel very thirsty
-You may urinate frequently
-You may have cuts or an infection that won't heal
-Or, you may have no symptoms at all
If you have any of these symptoms, you may have diabetes. Ask your health care provider to check your blood sugar.
Your physician can refer your for Diabetes Self-Management Education.
Areas of Education:
The Diabetes Self-Management program at MHCC promotes the patient's ability to manage diabetes.
Our program provides:
-A good overview of diabetes and how it affects your body
-Design of your individualized plan of care through diet, exercise, self-monitoring, and medications
-Recommendations for exercise and maintaining an active, healthy lifestyle
-Guidance to minimize or avoid diabetes related complications
-Personalized meal plans including your favorite foods
-Guidance on healthy food choices when eating out and "on the go" with a busy lifestyle
-Help with motivation and the desire to make lifestyle changes
-Explanation of factors that affect blood glucose levels
-How to take care of yourself when you become ill
Getting Started:
The Diabetes Self-Management Education program is covered by most insurance plans and Medicare. The outpatient program is recognized by the American Diabetes Association for quality self-management and education. If you would like to enroll or would like additional information, please call 307-324-8352.
Program Philosophy:
Whether an individual has just been diagnosed with diabetes, or has had diabetes for years, self-management is the key to living a healthy lifestyle. Although diabetes cannot be cured, it can be controlled through good self-management. Our goal at Memorial Hospital of Carbon County is to help each patient and family develop a self-management plan that meets their individual needs. Learning skills and strategies needed to control diabetes will help them live healthier, happier lives.
*The Diabetes Self-Management Education Program at Memorial Hospital of Carbon County has been awarded recognition by the American Diabetes Association in accordance with the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education Programs. This program offers a series of informative, hands-on educational sessions for individuals living with Type-1, Type-2, pre-diabetes, and gestational diabetes.