Diabetes Self Management Program

SARANAC LAKE - Diabetes is not only a serious and chronic illness, it is one without a cure.

      However, by taking the right steps and with a disciplined approach, diabetes can be well managed. Adirondack Medical Center remains committed to providing comprehensive diabetes education, and is offering a six-week course from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, starting September 13.

      Participants in the program will learn from a core of expert professionals on staff at AMC with varying backgrounds relative to diabetes treatment. Nutrition therapy, exercise, medication, stress management, monitoring and prevention of complications will be some of the topics covered by Dr. David Johnson, Dr. David Thomashow, Dr. Claude Roland, and Dr. Richard Erenstone, with Betsy Fuller RN, Peter Jones RN, Peter Henry RPh, Ellen Winchell RN, Rick Preston RPT, Kathy Bonham RN, and Sharon Sorgule RD, CDE.

      With the latest statistics showing that one in three Americans born today will develop diabetes, the disease is fast approaching epidemic proportion in our country. Those who have diabetes cannot produce or properly use insulin, the hormone that converts glucose into energy. As a result, glucose builds up in the blood ultimately causing damage to the heart, kidney, and eyes.

      To help overcome these challenges there has been a recent surge in new technologies to assist the person with diabetes in achieving near normal glucose levels: home diagnostics, state-of-the-art glucose meters, and data management systems, as well as new medications including inhaled insulin - "symlin" and "byetta."

      The foundation of management, however, remains exercise and a healthy carbohydrate controlled meal plan. Education is the key to balancing diabetes management with daily routines to enjoy a high quality of life.

The quality of care for Americans with diabetes has been improving in recent years, with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noting a drop in hospital admissions for preventable diabetes related complications. Also, the rate of people developing kidney failure as a result of their diabetes is declining.

      The Diabetes Self-Management Education Program offered by AMC is one reason gains are being made in improving the quality of life for those living with diabetes.

      For more information or to register, call 897-2611.

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