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Learn how to manage diabetes and pre-diabetes during a two-part class at Ashtabula County Medical Center.

The classes are led by Certified Diabetes Educator Lori Gilhousen, RN.

“Diabetes is a chronic disease where your body does not make enough insulin, or is unable to properly use the insulin it makes. Pre- Diabetes is the knock on the door that diabetes may be coming soon - it indicates that our body is getting out of balance,” she said.

The Self-Management Training and Education classes will be Tuesday, Nov. 12 and Tuesday, Nov. 19. This will include an individual assessment of your diabetes risk. You can also learn how to begin lifestyle changes that will improve your health.

“It can be difficult to come to grips with the idea that you now have diabetes, or may be on your way to getting it. The first step is to know your risks,” Gilhousen said.

To know whether or not you are at risk, ask yourself the following questions:

• What is your weight? You don’t have to be overweight to get diabetes. Thin and active people get diabetes too. However, sudden changes in weight can be an indicator..
• Do you smoke?
• Do you exercise regularly –more than job, housework or childcare?
• Do you have a high glucose level?
• Do you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol or high triglycerides?
• Are there ethnic risks or do you have a family history of diabetes?
• Are there other health risks that are heightened by diabetes?
• Have you been told that you are border-line or have a touch of high sugar level?

If you answer ‘yes’ to 4 or more (each yes increased your risk to develop diabetes) questions, you are at-risk.

Gilhousen said there are specific symptoms that can arise from diabetes - weariness, blurred vision, frequent urination, increased thirst, increased hunger, unexplained weight loss, wounds that do not heal, dry itchy skin, frequent infections, or numbness and tingling in hands, legs, or feet.

“The severity of these symptoms will differ from person to person. There may be noticeable symptoms as soon as someone enters pre-diabetes, others may not notice any symptoms. Or, we may think they are just signs that we are getting older or a build-up of stress,” she said.

Left unmanaged, diabetes can create further health problems and lead to amputation of limbs (usually feet and legs), blindness, nerve damage and kidney damage.

“Diabetes can be managed, but you need to know the risks, develop a plan and follow it. You don’t have to go through this alone,” Gilhousen said.

To provide extra support, family or friends are may also attend the training classes.