According to the American Diabetic Association, approximately 17 million people in the United States, or 6.2% of the population, have diabetes.  There are 3 major types of diabetes:

1. Type I Diabetes - results from the body’s failure to produce insulin, the hormone that “unlocks” the cells of the body, allowing glucose to enter and fuel them.  It is estimated that 5%-10% of diabetic Americans have type I diabetes.

2. Type II Diabetes - results from insulin resistance (a condition in which the body fails to properly use insulin), combined with relative insulin deficiency.  Approximately 90%-95% (16 million) of diabetics have type II diabetes. 

3.  Gestational Diabetes – occurs when a woman’s body cannot make the amount of insulin needed during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes affects about 4% of all pregnant women – about 135,000 cases in the United States each year.

Cherokee Regional Medical Center offers a Diabetes Self Management Education program.  This program is available to all diabetic patients - those with Type I, Type 2 and Gestational Diabetes.  This program is certified with the American Diabetic Association and is based on the BASICS curriculum developed by the International Diabetes Center. 

Group sessions are available for individuals with diabetes and will meet on Wednesday afternoons at 1:30 p.m.  Individual education may also be provided with a referral from their healthcare provider.  Diabetic patients interested in this education program must be referred by their healthcare provider for insurance reimbursement.  Diabetes education is covered by most insurance groups when referred by their healthcare provider. 

Type 2 Diabetes Education Program

Session 1:

1. Diabetic Overview

2. Treatment

3. Blood Glucose Testing

4. Nutrition

5. Physical Activity

 

Session 2:  (2 weeks after initial meeting)

1. Blood Glucose Testing

2. Nutrition Review

3. Healthy Heart

4. Diabetes and Alcohol

 

Session 3: (6 weeks after initial meeting)

1. Blood Glucose Monitoring

2. Sick Day Management

3. Blood Pressure

4. Foot Care

5. Carbohydrate Counting Review

 

Session 4: (3 months after initial meeting)

1. Target Blood Glucose Levels

2. Balancing Stress

3. Physiologic changes over time

4. Complications of Diabetes

5. Nutrition Review

6. Community/Professional Resources

 

If you have any questions about the Diabetic Education program, please call 712-225-5101 and ask for extension 138:

JoAnne Tapper, RN

Stephanie Jacobsen, RD, LD