LOCAL CLASS EDUCATES DIABETICS ON SELF-MANAGEMENT

The presence of diabetes in Lake County has been growing every year since 2002, and currently affects more than 13% of the community, which is higher than the state average.

Diabetes education plays an important role in helping patients with the disease improve their health and avoid potential complications.  If unmanaged, diabetes can cause harmful complications such as heart disease, kidney disease, vision loss or stoke. Many of these complications are preventable with early diagnosis and self -management, according to the American Diabetes Association.

“Education is the most important tool we can utilize to help our community address this disease," said Candace Huber, AdventHealth Waterman director of mission development.  "With proper nutrition, medication, exercise and monitoring, patients can maintain optimal wellness and achieve a higher quality of life despite this disease.”

One in three U.S. adults have prediabetes, where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. With early self-management, the progression from pre-diabetes to diabetes can be delayed or prevented.

Anyone with pre-diabetes or diabetes is encouraged to join AdventHealth Waterman for a five-session Diabetes Self-Management course.  Classes are taught by a certified diabetes educator and professional health educator to teach understanding of diabetes, carbohydrate management, blood glucose monitoring, as well as meal and exercise planning.  The course also covers managing and preventing complications and information on how making lifestyle changes can improve overall health.

The courses are every Monday from 10 a.m. to noon or 5-7 p.m., from April 1 to April 29 in the Conry Creation Health Center at AdventHealth Waterman, 1000 Waterman Way, Tavares.  Tuition is $45 for this five-session course, including all materials. For more information or to register, visit www.ConryCreationHealth.com  

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit the area's website and download its free mobile app.  Free subscriptions to Mount Dora Buzz' monthly updates are available here.   ​​

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