More than 150,000 individuals in northeast Indiana and northwest Ohio have prediabetes. Many people with prediabetes have never been diagnosed. Perhaps you suspect this is you, or your provider has told you that you fall within this category. Maybe you are one of the 65,000 individuals already living with diabetes. Either way, there are strategies and steps you can take to help decrease blood sugars and support a healthy lifestyle. To aid patients in their health journey, Parkview Diabetes Services has created a new approach to diabetes education to teach people self-management skills that will improve their quality of life.
The difference between prediabetes and diabetes
Prediabetes means your blood sugar level is higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes. Individuals with prediabetes are at increased risk of developing diabetes. Prediabetes is a warning sign, signaling a need for lifestyle changes. Prediabetes often flies under the radar. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), many individuals can have prediabetes for years and have no clear-cut symptoms. For this reason, getting your blood sugar tested and speaking with your healthcare provider is the first step to reducing your risk of developing diabetes.
Diabetes, on the other hand, is a condition in which your blood sugar level is too high. The most common type of diabetes is type 2 diabetes, where the body does not properly process food for energy. It affects every major organ in the body. And while type 2 diabetes is common, it can lead to irreversible damage to a person’s body if left unchecked and uncontrolled. That’s why early detection and effective management of diabetes can help prevent or slow down potential consequences of the chronic disease.
What Parkview has to offer
We understand that prediabetes and diabetes are life-changing diagnoses, which is why we offer resources to help patients lead a longer, healthier life. The diabetes care team is committed to providing individuals with a variety of personalized programs and resources to help them learn to manage the disease no matter where someone is in their health journey. With a new approach toward diabetes education, the diabetes team strives to empower patients to learn and make positive changes that reduce their risk factors for developing the disease.
“Our goal is to increase awareness of diabetes and the impact it has on quality of life and empower those in our community to take charge of their health and decrease their risk of developing diabetes and experiencing its complications,” Chad Shirar, director, Parkview Diabetes Services, said.
Know your ABCs
ABCs of Diabetes is a high-level diabetes intro class, which is a free, virtual session to provide general information on the prevention and management of diabetes. This course is not patient-specific, but rather a means to listen and engage in lecture and discussion that will increase awareness of diabetes and help steer patients toward appropriate resources and relevant information.
“Most of diabetes care and diabetes prevention takes place at home, not in the doctor’s office. For patients, the key to successful diabetes care and prevention is a good understanding of what diabetes is and how lifestyle and medication can affect blood sugars, blood pressure and cholesterol. The ABCs of Diabetes class provides an excellent foundation and can help support patients in achieving and maintaining a healthy lifestyle,” Emily Schroeder, MD, PPG – Endocrinology, said.
Virtual support
The ABCs of Diabetes class is offered three different times each month at various times via a virtual platform. What does this mean for patients? It means that anyone can attend a session and choose the most convenient time for their schedule. Participants can also invite family or friends who may be interested in attending. The ABCs of Diabetes class is offered on the following days each month:
1st Tuesday of each month from 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Click here to join the meeting
2nd Wednesday of each month from noon – 1 p.m. Click here to join the meeting
3rd Thursday of each month from 8 a.m. – 9 a.m. Click here to join the meeting
Additionally, the expert team of physicians at Parkview Physicians Group – Endocrinology are partnering with patients, their primary care physicians and Parkview pharmacists, dietitians and educators to develop a realistic and practical plan in making measurable improvements in their health.
