Local health professionals emphasize diabetes

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Health professionals locally and organizations nationwide will observe American Diabetes Alert Day on Tuesday, March 24. The purpose of this observance, sponsored by the American Diabetes Association, is to urge Americans to ascertain their risk for type 2 diabetes.

Although people with diabetes can experience symptoms, such as frequent urination, blurred vision and excessive thirst, most do not exhibit these warning signs when they first develop the disease.

“Unfortunately, people with type 2 diabetes can live for years without realizing they have the disease,” said Tara Randle, M.S., R.D., L.D., CDE, a diabetes educator at Lake Regional Health System in Osage Beach, Mo. “This is because type 2 diabetes often only becomes evident when people develop one or more serious complications, such as heart disease, blindness, stroke and kidney disease.”

According to the ADA, more than 23 million U.S. adults and children have diabetes, but almost 6 million of them don’t know it. Another 57 million Americans have pre-diabetes, placing them at increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes.

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Randle, a registered dietician, says a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise and nutritious food choices, can decrease a person’s risk of developing diabetes.

“It’s particularly important for those who are overweight, physically inactive, older than 45 or have a family history of diabetes,” Randle said.

She also says early diagnosis is critical for successful treatment and delaying or preventing serious complications, amputations and death.

Those at risk of developing diabetes should see their primary care physician for a routine physical. Lake-area residents also may take advantage of upcoming free blood glucose screenings, as well as free blood pressure checks, at their local Lake Regional Pharmacy. The screenings will be held in Osage Beach on Wednesday, April 15, in Camdenton on Wednesday, May 20, and in Lake Ozark on Wednesday, June 17.

Those who have been diagnosed with diabetes also should plan to attend one of two free education classes sponsored by Lake Regional Health System. They are scheduled 9 - 11 a.m. and 1 - 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 13, in the Cardiac Rehab conference room on the second floor of Lake Regional Hospital. Registration is required because class size is limited. To register, visit www.lakeregional.com and click “events.” For more information, call 573-348-8222.