November is National Diabetes Month
Learn how to manage diabetes to prevent or delay health complications with Access to Healthcare’s, Diabetes Self-Management Workshops.
Source: CDC
Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy.
Your body breaks down most of the food you eat into sugar (glucose) and releases it into your bloodstream. When your blood sugar goes up, your pancreas releases insulin. Insulin acts like a key to let the blood sugar into your body’s cells for use as energy.
With diabetes, your body doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use it as well as it should. When there isn’t enough insulin or cells stop responding to insulin, too much blood sugar stays in your bloodstream. Over time, that can cause serious health problems like heart disease, vision loss, and kidney disease.
Diabetes in Numbers:
- More than 37 million US adults have diabetes, and 1 in 5 of them don’t know they have it.
- Diabetes is the eighth leading cause of death in the United States.
- Diabetes is the No. 1 cause of kidney failure, lower-limb amputations, and adult blindness.
- In the last 20 years, the number of adults diagnosed with diabetes has more than doubled.
- Approximately 96 million American adults—more than 1 in 3—have prediabetes. Take the pre-diabetic test today, here.
Diabetes is complicated, and managing it in your everyday life requires practice. You may be wondering about eating balanced meals, engaging in safe physical activity, checking blood sugar, or giving yourself injectable medicines. Diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) workshops will help you with all these practical skills, whatever stage you’re in or what type of diabetes you have. You’re not in it alone!
What is DSMES?
DSMES will support you in managing your diabetes in a way that fits into your busy life. You’ll gain practical skills to control your blood sugar by learning more about diabetes, what your blood sugar numbers mean, and how adopting healthier eating, physical activity, stress management, and other habits can improve your condition. You will also learn problem-solving skills to help you navigate daily life with diabetes. Upon learning these tools, you will decide on the ones you’d like to use to manage your diabetes.
How will DSMES help me?
By using the tools learned in DSMES you can expect to see improvements in your blood sugar levels. In the long term this helps to prevent or delay serious diabetes complications like heart disease, kidney disease, and vision loss. This improvement can help you avoid emergency care, save money on healthcare costs, and improve your quality of life. You will also gain the confidence that you can manage your condition. People who participate in DSMES are more likely to have better overall health.
How much will DSMES cost me?
The cost of our diabetes education services depends upon your insurance plan. Contact us to find out more information. Many insurance providers cover the full cost of the workshop. Scholarships may be available for uninsured individuals who cannot afford the cost of attending the workshop.
Where can I sign up?
Access to Healthcare Network is here to help. Whether you are newly diagnosed or have been living with diabetes for many years, our Access to Healthcare – Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSMES) program can assist you in managing your diabetes, achieving your health goals, and improving your overall quality of life.
We’ve made signing up easy! Just fill out this form, and we will contact you within 48 business hours! The Access Diabetes Self-Management Education program is a six-week workshop for Nevada residents with type 1, 2, or gestational diabetes. Under the guidance of a Registered Dietitian and trained Health Educators, workshop participants learn the skills needed to manage blood sugar levels through diet, exercise, and healthy lifestyle modifications.
