Diabetes Program

What is diabetes?
Diabetes means that your blood glucose (sugar) is too high. Your blood always has some glucose in it because the body needs glucose for energy to keep you going. Too much glucose in the blood is not good for your health. Could you have diabetes?

Diabetes is a silent disease. You could have it for years and never know it. During this time, your eyes, nerves, and kidneys may have been harmed by too much sugar in your blood. Who is at risk for diabetes?

Your risk for diabetes increases as your get older, gain too much weight, or if you do not stay active. Diabetes is more common in African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Risk factors for diabetes include:

• Having high blood pressure (at or above 130/80)
• Having a family history of diabetes
• Having diabetes during pregnancy or having a baby weighing more than nine pounds at birth.

Don't wait for the signs
Most people with diabetes do not notice any symptoms. However if you should have any of these symptoms, call your health care provider right away.

• Very thirsty
• Frequent urination
• Losing weight without trying

What can you do?
You can do things now to lower your risk for diabetes by:

• keeping your weight in control;
• eating low fat meals that are HIGH in fruits, vegetables and whole grain foods;
• staying active most days of the week.

Learn more. Get involved.
If you or the people you care about are at high risk for diabetes, you should learn more and get involved.

• Ask your health care provider about your risk for diabetes during your next visit.
• Call 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) for free information about diabetes, and to find out about Alert activities in your area. Bilingual representatives are available.
• Learn more about diabetes by visiting the www.diabetes.org
• Take the diabetes risk test to see if you are at risk for diabetes. Share this information with family, friends and neighbors. Help find the 6.2 million Americans with undiagnosed diabetes.

Diabetes Program

The East Shore District Health Department in conjunction with VNA community HealthCare conducts a Diabetes Education Program for East Haven, Branford, and North Branford residents. The intent of this program is to reduce diabetes related health complications by providing individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to perform self-care prevent crises and make effective lifestyle changes to prevent complications. It is a seven-session program taught by a team consisting of a certified diabetes educator and a registered dietician. Call the East Shore District Health Department at (203) 481-4233 for more information and events calendar for dates, times and locations.