About Diabetes Diabetes education and prevention
| Diabetes education and prevention |
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According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetes is the fastest-growing disease facing our nation today. It is estimated that 1.5 million men, women and children will be diagnosed with diabetes during 2007.
Diabetes means that your blood sugar, or glucose, is too high. Glucose comes from the food you eat and is also made in your liver and muscles. Your blood always has some glucose in it because your body needs glucose for energy. Too much glucose in the blood isn't good for your health. An organ called the pancreas controls the amount of glucose in the blood. The pancreas makes insulin that helps glucose get from food into your cells. Cells take the glucose and make it into energy you need for life. In a person with diabetes, the pancreas makes little or no insulin or the cells don't use insulin very well. The glucose builds up in the blood and can't get into your cells. The blood glucose gets too high and diabetes can then damage your body. Many people do not realize that they even have the disease and they may not understand the serious threats that it poses to their health. According to the American Diabetes Association about there are approximately 54 million people in the United States living who have pre-diabetes. Pre-diabetes is a term used to describe people who are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. They have blood sugar levels that are higher than normal but are not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetic. Research has shown that folks have the ability to manage their blood sugar and prevent type 2 diabetes by making changes to their daily life styles. The members of the Otero County Diabetes Education and Prevention Collaborative believe community education is the key to making sure folks have the tools to prevent the onset of diabetes. Also, by having the most current information those who are currently living with diabetes can manage this disease and improve their quality of life. OCDEPC continues to bring together a variety of individuals and community partners to develop diabetes awareness strategies and resources. Members are learning first hand what it is like to have a child who has been diagnosed with diabetes and the struggle to find local resources. OCDEPC meets the third Thursday of the month from noon to 1 p.m. at the Otero PATH office, 700 E. First St., Suite 720 next to old bowling alley. Funding from the Paso Del Norte Health Foundation Diabetes Initiative provided through the Southern Area Health Center has assisted OCDEPC in creating a Diabetes Resources Center at the Otero PATH office. Printed diabetes information is available along with the use of designated computers with Internet access to assist anyone seeking information on diabetes. Ben Archer Health Center and other OCDEPC partners, including Walk and Dance Otero, hosts the Diabetes Success Group that features physical activity, ways to eat and cook healthier, lower stress levels, networking opportunities and ways to control diabetes. The next meeting of this Diabetes Success Group will be Dec. 3 at the Otero Path office. For further information, contact Reginee Mendoza, health educator and the Ben Archer Health Clinic by calling 443-8100, or Lori Tilman, of Walk and Dance Otero, at 437-2460. Walk Otero has a free resource kit with a listing of the ideal walking locations throughout Otero County. Walk Otero also offers a variety of creative and fun ways to get out and move.
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