Day of free activities planned at Ashtabula Towne Square
Celebrate World Diabetes Day November 14 with a series of special events at Ashtabula Towne Square including Senior Fitness, Meal planning and cooking tips, Walk with a Doc, and a discussion about Medication for Diabetes.
Diabetes is a major contributor to health problems in Ohio and in Ashtabula County. Hospitalization due to health complications from diabetes are higher in Ashtabula County than the average in the state of Ohio.
Lori Gilhousen, RN, CDE, a certified diabetes educator at Ashtabula County Medical Center, said in many cases diabetes can be controlled through better nutrition, physical activity, regular checkups with your healthcare team, and, if needed, medication.
She said simple changes can make a big difference in your health. For example, losing just 5 to 10 percent body weight may help reduce the risk for diabetes by 60 percent or more.
Gilhousen said symptoms of diabetes may not be readily noticeable. A person may be more thirsty, tired, or hungry than usual. Other symptoms include vision problems, frequent urination, difficulty concentrating, vision changes, or having a fruity or sweet odor on the breath. Some people have no symptoms at all and are diagnosed when blood work is done during a routine checkup with their primary care provider.
Testing can lead to an early diagnosis of pre-diabetes – meaning the warning signs are there. This gives a patient the chance to learn about the disease, and to change their lifestyle when it is most beneficial and protective to the body. Taking control of diabetes helps to prevent and postpone the complications from uncontrolled blood glucose.
Those who should be tested for diabetes and pre-diabetes include people with:
• High blood pressure.
• A family history of diabetes.
• A personal history of diabetes during pregnancy.
Others at increased risk include those of African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American/American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian American or Pacific Islander descent.
More information about diabetes and prediabetes will be available at the World Diabetes Day event at Ashtabula Towne Square, which begins at 11:30 a.m. with Senior Fitness Through Movement. These simple exercises are a warmup for the noon Walk with a Doc. Gilhousen will walk with those in attendance and talk about what health factors should be monitored in addition to blood sugar. At 1 p.m., Gilhousen will discuss meal planning and offer cooking tips. At 2:30 p.m. Gilhousen will speak about Medications for Diabetes.
For those who cannot make the early afternoon events, the same series of events is planned for late afternoon. Meet at the mall at 4:30 p.m. for Senior Fitness Through Movement. Gilhousen will lead Walk with a Doc at 5 p.m. and talk about what health factors should be monitored in addition to blood sugar. At 5:30 p.m., Gilhousen will discuss meal planning and offer cooking tips. At 6:30 p.m. Gilhousen will speak about Medications for Diabetes.
All events at the Ashtabula Towne Square are free and open to the public without reservations. For those who cannot attend World Diabetes Day, Gilhousen will also present information about diabetes at a special Lunch ‘n Learn at Premiere Fitness Tuesday, Nov. 15 at noon.
If you would like more information about diabetes or pre-diabetes, contact Lori Gilhousen at 440-994-7598 or visit www.acmchealth.org and click on the Diabetes tab under Services.