MARCH IS NATIONAL KIDNEY MONTH

Diabetic kidney disease is a type of kidney disease caused by diabetes. Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease. About 1 out of 4 adults with diabetes has kidney disease.

The main job of the kidneys is to filter wastes and extra water out of your blood to make urine. Your kidneys also help control blood pressure and make hormones that your body needs to stay healthy.

With diabetes, the small blood vessels in the body are injured. When the blood vessels in the kidneys are injured, your kidneys cannot clean your blood properly. Your body will retain more water and salt than it should, which can result in weight gain and ankle swelling. You may have protein in your urine. Also, waste materials will build up in your blood.

Diabetes also may cause damage to nerves in your body. This can cause difficulty in emptying your bladder. The pressure resulting from your full bladder can back up and injure the kidneys. Also, if urine remains in your bladder for a long time, you can develop an infection from the rapid growth of bacteria in urine that has a high sugar level.

Kidney damage from diabetes can get worse over time. However, you can take steps to keep your kidneys healthy and help slow kidney damage to prevent or delay kidney failure. Kidney failure means that your kidneys have lost most of their ability to function—less than 15 percent of normal kidney function. However, most people with diabetes and kidney disease don’t end up with kidney failure.

Healthy lifestyle habits can help you reach your blood glucose and blood pressure goals. Following the steps below will also help you keep your kidneys healthy:

• Stop smoking.
• Make physical activity part of your routine.
• Stay at or get to a healthy weight.
• Get enough sleep. Aim for 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night.
• Take medicines as prescribed
• Work with a dietitian to develop a diabetes meal plan and limit salt and sodium.

With St. Patrick’s Day this month, treat yourself, family and friends to a delicious, hearty Irish Stew. It includes Lamb (or use Beef if you prefer a more Americanized version), onion, carrots, parsnips and potatoes for an Irish meal to satisfy all of your hungry guests. A great alternative to corned beef for St. Paddy’s Day.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 pound of lamb cutlet, bone removed OR (1-1/4 pounds beef, top round) cut into 3/4-inch pieces
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
• 3 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 3/4-inch pieces
• 2 medium parsnips, cut into large chunks (optional)
• 3 cups low-fat, reduced-sodium beef broth
• 4 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cut into large chunks
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
• 1 leek, coarsely chopped
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Directions

• In large pot over medium-high heat, heat oil. Add meat and garlic. Cook, gently stirring until meat is evenly browned.
• Add onion, carrots and parsnips. Cook 3-4 minutes. Stir in broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer about 75 minutes, or until meat is tender.
• Stir in potatoes and simmer another 30 minutes. Add rosemary and leeks. Continue to simmer, uncovered, until potatoes are tender. To avoid potatoes falling apart, do not overcook.
• Serve hot and garnish with parsley, if desired.

Community offerings:

Diabetes Empowerment Education Program (DEEP)

April (DEEP)

WHEN:

April 8, 2020 @ 6:00 pm – May 13, 2020 @ 8:00 pm

WHERE:

Sandusky Library, Community Meeting Room,
114 W. Adams Street, Sandusky, OH

COST:

Free

CONTACT:

Tina Elmlinger
419-624-1856

April (DEEP)

WHEN:

April 7, 2020 @ 9:00 am – May 12, 2020 @ 11:00 am

WHERE:

Harborview Apartments
115 Franklin Street, Sandusky, OH

COST:

Free

CONTACT:

Tina Elmlinger
419-624-1856

The Diabetes Empowerment Education Program [DEEP] is offered every Wednesday for six weeks. Good attendance is important. This free program is for diabetics, pre-diabetics, and spouses or caregivers of a diabetic.  Residents of Erie County, aged 60 or older, please call 419-624-1856 to register.

Diabetes Support Group – Firelands Regional Medical Center

Date: Wednesday, March 18

Time: 12:00-1:00 pm

Location: Firelands Region Medical Center, Main Campus, Cafeteria Meeting #1

The Diabetes Support Group presented by Jean Feick CNP,CDE, meets the third Wednesday of each month Sept–November and January-May from 12:00pm –1:00pm.  This meeting is free to the public and no registration is required. Attendees are welcome to purchase lunch in the hospital cafeteria and come to the adjacent Cafeteria Meeting #1.  A different topic will be reviewed each month. If you have questions, please contact the Diabetes Education Department at 419-557-6992.

HEALTH & WELLNESS SCREENING – offered by Firelands Regional Medical Center

You must Pre-register for all Lab Work at 419-557-7840.

Sandusky Health & Wellness Screening

Firelands Main Campus
1111 Hayes Ave. Sandusky, OH

Saturday, March 7
7:00 AM – 9:30 AM

Norwalk Health & Wellness Screening

Dr. Ruggles
348 Milan Ave. Suite 2,
Norwalk, OH

Saturday, April 18
7:30 AM – 9:30 AM

Castalia Health & Wellness Screening

Dr. Kuns
101 South Washington St.
Castalia, OH

Saturday, May 9
7:30 AM – 9:30 AM

Health & Wellness Screenings include:

• Complete Blood Count with Metabolic & Lipid Panel (No Eating or Drinking for 12 Hours – Water Allowed – includes liver and kidney function studies, fasting blood sugar, thyroid, cholesterol, HDL/LDL and triglyceride levels along with a complete blood count.) – $45;
• Hemoglobin A1C (A three month report card on how well your blood sugars have been running. A test used to diagnose diabetes and/or to evaluate how well your treatment plan is working.) – $25;
• PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen)- $30;
• Vitamin D – $35;
• TSH – $25

Diet and exercise are an essential part of diabetes management. So is routine testing.

The A1C test—also known as the hemoglobin A1C or HbA1c test—is a simple blood test that measures your average blood sugar levels over the past 3 months. It’s one of the commonly used tests to diagnose prediabetes and diabetes, and is also the main test to help you and your health care team manage your diabetes. Higher A1C levels are linked to diabetes complications, so reaching and maintaining your individual A1C goal is really important if you have diabetes.

Last quarter, 67% of our diabetic patients had an A1C of less than 9%. Talk with your provider to discuss the right options for you.