Tuesday, November 3, 2009 10:08 PM CST
Living with Diabetes: Program offers exercise, nutrition advice to local residents
From Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center
Betty Dodson feels better today than she has in several years, despite being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes about a year ago.
Dodson of Charleston wasn’t surprised by the diagnosis in December, being alerted by previous health experiences and by having an aunt with diabetes. Although, it has given her the motivation to make changes in her lifestyle and take control of her health.
Just two months after learning the news, the 79-year-old retired Eastern Illinois University speech pathology professor enrolled in Sarah Bush Lincoln’s Living with Diabetes program, which focuses on managing diabetes through nutrition and exercise. The program is designed to help those newly diagnosed, as well as those who have been living with diabetes for years.
Dodson participated in classes twice a week for a six-month period, gaining knowledge and understanding about the disease. While exercising on a step exerciser, stationary bicycle and treadmill, she learned how to keep the disease from progressing, thanks to the many educational talks by certified diabetic educators Paula Enstrom, registered nurse, and Cindy Foster, registered dietitican.
“They covered about every aspect of the disease,” Dodson said. “I never left a class session without learning at least one thing, and I’ve shared the information with so many people.”
Enstrom noted that class participants are closely monitored while exercising, keeping track of blood-sugar levels, blood pressure, weight, and heart rate.
“They immediately know if something is out of kilter,” Dodson added. “If your glucose level is too high, they won’t let you exercise.”
National Diabetes Month is recognized in November with a goal of bringing greater awareness to the disease, which is reaching epidemic proportions in the U.S. and worldwide. Diabetes is a serious, lifelong condition that affects almost every part of a person’s body.
It means that a person’s blood glucose (blood sugar) level is too high and can lead to potentially life-threatening complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness and loss of limbs.
In the U.S., it is estimated that 23.7 million people live with diabetes and 57 Americans are at risk for type 2 diabetes. One out of every three children born today will face a future with diabetes if current trends continue.
However, studies have shown that the onset of type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed through lifestyle changes, such as eating healthier and getting more physical activity, Enstrom said.
Thankfully, by participating in the program at Sarah Bush Lincoln, Dodson has learned that she is actually pre-diabetic and has successfully lowered her blood sugar level to a normal range.
In addition to improving her fitness level, Dodson was excited about the opportunity to meet privately with Foster, a registered dietitian, another component of the program. With Foster’s help, Dodson learned how to adjust her diet in order to keep blood sugar levels down.
“It’s been surprisingly easy to follow,” Dodson said. “Instead of counting calories the way I used to, I keep track of carbohydrates. I had no idea that it’s just as important for diabetics to consume carbohydrates as it is for them to limit carbohydrates.”
Dodson said she was also surprised to learn that having a low glucose level can be even more dangerous than a high glucose level.
“The quantities of food you eat are so important,” she said, adding that she has learned to limit her portions. “The portions I used to eat were far greater than what I needed.”
By changing her habits, Dodson has lost 16 pounds “just ounces at a time. It’s really encouraging, because I haven’t really dieted and I haven’t been hungry,” she said.
She also has more energy and has started to exercise regularly, going to the student recreation center at EIU two or three times a week and swimming at the Mattoon Area Family YMCA.
Though Dodson graduated from the Living with Diabetes program in August, she has continued to participate in exercise classes once a week at the health center.
“This class has been a real blessing for me,” Dodson said. “The real benefit has been all the knowledge and the understanding I have gained. I’ve learned so much and I’m grateful for that.”
Another class offered at SBLHC, Step in the Right Direction, is designed to help prevent the onset of diabetes in people diagnosed with pre-diabetes. Pre-diabetes is a condition in which blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be classified as type 2 diabetes.
This program meets twice a week for supervised exercise session and lessons on healthy eating, safe exercise and reducing risks for other health issues related to diabetes.
“We try not to make drastic changes in someone’s lifestyle, because they’ll never stick with it,” Enstrom said. “We show them little things they can do to make them healthier in the long run. Losing as little as 10 pounds can be enough to make a difference.”
For more information about Living with Diabetes or Step in the Right Direction, call 258- or 348-2177 or go to www.sarahbush.org. Living with Diabetes classes cost $3.50 per session. Step in the Right Direction classes are free. Many costs of these programs are funded through a grant from WomenConnected, a giving circle within SBLHC.
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