Diabetes

The Choice is YoursDiabetes is a disease that can have serious effects on many parts of your body, sometimes permanently. It affects over 18 million people in the United States, and at least 5 million do not even know they have it. If left untreated, diabetes can lead to heart and kidney disease, amputations, blindness, and other serious problems. Scientific research has proven that controlling blood sugar levels can reduce long-term complications of diabetes. Helping you to control your blood sugar levels over the long-term is what our diabetes program is all about.

Take Diabetes Seriously• It is the fifth leading cause of death by disease in this country • It causes 12,000 to 24,000 people to lose their sight each year • It accounts for 82,000 leg and foot amputations each year • It is the leading cause of kidney failure • It increases the chance of having heart disease or suffering a stroke by two to four times

But you can learn how to control your diabetes and lower your risk for these long-term complications... and we can help.

MCH Diabetes Center (432) 640-2128 fax (432) 640-2428

Available to schedule classes, to answer questions about diabetes care, or to provide more information about our programs and services.

MCH Center for Health & Wellness • Suite 1038050 E. Highway 191 • Odessa, Texas 79765

(432) 640-6000www.mchodessa.com

Ervenia Luna Program Assistant

Ghenima Cherid, MSN, RN, ACNS-BC

Alicia Fletcher MSN, RN, ACNS-BC, CDE

Don’t Let Diabetes Steal Your Joy.

Outpatient ServicesWorking with your doctor, our team will create a care plan just for you that includes education and counseling on the following: • Blood sugar monitoring • Insulin self-management skills • Oral medication self-management skills • Nutrition counseling and meal planning • Support for you and your family including a monthly support group the last Tuesday of each month from 5:30 – 6:30 pm. • Exercise counseling • Stress management • Diabetes counseling during pregnancyTo participate in our outpatient education, please ask your doctor or call us for more information.

Follow-up SessionsThese are scheduled during the first, third, and twelfth months of your program to measure goals you have set and to give you on-going support for daily management of your diabetes.

Glucose Control ClinicOur advanced practice nurses can create a diabetes management plan that will help you improve blood glucose control, manage symptoms, improve outcomes and delay or prevent complications. They will work with your own physician or provide referrals to help you find a primary care physician.

Our caring staff of dieticians, diabetes educators and registered nurses will help you learn to control your diabetes by eating healthy, exercising and taking your medicines the right way. We provide this education and support through outpatient services and, if you ever need to be in the hospital, through our inpatient hospital services.

Inpatient ServicesManagement of your blood sugar level is important, perhaps more important when you are in the hospital. Recent studies have shown that keeping blood sugar levels near normal while being hospitalized can help prevent infections and improve outcomes overall.

Our experienced staff understands your special needs. They will work in the hospital with your doctor and nurses to give you the highest quality care for your diabetes and other conditions.

This includes: • Managing your blood sugars • Providing your nutritional needs • Teaching you basic skills to manage your diabetes once you have left the hospital

Learn More – Be PreparedWhether you are at high or low risk for diabetes, finding out more about the disease could someday help you or someone you love. For more information on the symptoms and treatment of diabetes, please call us at (432) 640-2128.

Are you at risk?If you scored 10 or more points, you are at risk for having diabetes and should visit your doctor to be tested. You should be aware of the warning signs.

Symptoms to watch for include: • Frequent urination or excessive thirst • Dramatic weight loss • Fatigue • Slow-healing • Tingling in the toes or feet

These symptoms alone may not suggest the disease, but when two or more symptoms are combined, testing is recommended.

If you scored 3-9 points, you are probably at low risk for having diabetes. However, new guidelines recommend everyone age 45 and over consider being tested for diabetes every three years.

If you are at high risk, you should consider being tested at a younger age. If you have any questions about diabetes or would like more information about our programs or services, please call (432) 640-2128.

* Weight without shoes or clothing. The weight chart is based on a measure called the Body Mass Index (BMI). The chart shows unhealthy weights for men and women age 35 and older at the listed heights. At-risk weights are lower for those under the age of 35.

Diabetes Risk TestRead each statement, then write in the points next to each one that is true for you. If the statement is not true, put a zero. When you are done, add the points to get your total score.

Diabetes is more common in those of African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, Asian American, or Pacific Islander descent.

My weight is equal to or above that listed for my height in the weight chart. (5 pts) ___

I am under 65 years of age and getting little or no exercise during a usual day. (5 pts) ___

I am between 45 and 64 years of age. (5 pts) ___

I am 65 years of age or older. (9 pts) ___

I am a woman who has had a baby weighing more than nine pounds at birth. (I pt) ___

I have a sister or brother with diabetes. (I pt) ___

I have a parent with diabetes. (1 pt) ___

Total points ___

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Unhealthy weights for men and women age 35 and older.*

Height Weight 4’10” 129 4’11” 133 5’0” 138 5’1” 143 5’2” 147

Height Weight 5’3” 152 5’4” 157 5’5” 162 5’6” 167 5’7” 172

Height Weight 5’8” 177 5’9” 182 5’10” 188 5’11” 193 6’0” 199

Height Weight 6’1” 204 6’2” 210 6’3” 216 6’4” 221