Visalia Medical Clinic

Helping you manage your diabetes
so you can Be Well

Diabetes Support Group

This group of diabetics and family members meets monthly at 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. at Visalia Medical Clinic, 5400 W. Hillsdale Drive and discusses a variety of topics to better manage diabetes. Cost to attend the one-hour meetings is $5 per family. Meetings are led by Susan Smith, certified diabetes educator.


2012

Monday, Mar. 12: Dietary Changes, How to Stay on Track

Monday, Apr. 16: Foot Care for Diabetics

Monday, May 14: Making diabetes changes for warmer weather
Monday, June 11: Get Moving for Better Quality of Life with Diabetes
What is diabetes?
Diabetes means that your blood glucose (GLOO-kos), also called blood
sugar, is too high. Glucose comes from the food you eat and is needed to
fuel our bodies. Glucose is also stored in our liver and muscles. Your
blood always has some glucose in it because your body needs glucose for
energy. But having too much glucose in your blood is not healthy.

An organ called the pancreas (PAN-kree-as) makes insulin (IN-suh-lin).
Insulin helps glucose get from your blood into your cells. Cells take the glucose and turn it into energy.

If you have diabetes, the pancreas makes little or no insulin or your cells cannot use insulin very well. Glucose builds up in your blood and cannot get into your cells. If your blood glucose stays too high, it can damage many parts of the body such as the heart, eyes, kidneys, and nerves.

Type 1 diabetes occurs most frequently in children and young adults, although it can occur at any age. Type 1 diabetes accounts for 5-10% of all diabetes in the United States. There does appear to be a genetic component to Type 1 diabetes, but the cause has yet to be identified.

Type 2 diabetes is much more common and accounts for 90-95% of all diabetes. Type 2 diabetes primarily affects adults, however recently Type 2 has begun developing in children. There is a strong correlation between Type 2 diabetes, physical inactivity and obesity. People with Type 2 diabetes may hear their condition described as “mild,” but Type 2 diabetes is not a “mild” medical condition.

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What are the symptoms of diabetes?

  • Blurred vision
  • Unusual thirst
  • Frequent urination
  • Slow-healing cuts
  • Unexplained tiredness
  • Rapid weight loss (Type 1 diabetes)
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Numbness or tingling in hands or feet

If you experience more than one of these symptoms, make an appointment with your primary care provider.

Symptoms may occur rapidly with Type 1 diabetes; however, with Type 2 diabetes the onset is more insidious and may not be noticed.

How is diabetes diagnosed?

Through a blood test measuring your blood glucose level. Usually these tests are repeated to confirm the diagnosis.

If you are diagnosed with diabetes, what should you do?

  • Request a referral to a certified diabetes educator and/or a dietitian
  • Obtain a prescription for a glucometer and testing supplies
  • Begin to make lifestyle changes
  • Begin an exercise program
  • Decrease portion size
  • Make healthy food choices
  • Limit your intake of concentrated sweets
  • Increase your fiber intake
  • Test your blood sugar at varying times of
    the day




Susan Smith, Ph.D., is a nationally Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) and a specialist in the field of diabetes. She leads the monthly support groups and works closely with VMC’s James Mohs, MD, an endocrinologist.