Diabetes News – January 2021

NATIONAL BLOOD DONOR MONTH

January is the beginning of a new year and the perfect time to start the year celebrating National Blood Donor Month.

Due to increased seasonal illnesses during the winter months and inclement weather conditions, donations of blood and platelets decline and demand increases. The American Red Ross and Blood Banks of America encourage everyone can donate to continue their donations. Those who have never donated, to make an appointment. Blood donation is safer than ever before and saves lives. Millions of people including cancer patients, organ recipients, and victims of accidents; rely on blood donations from people like you and I.

Don’t stop giving just because the holidays are over. You can find your local donations sites and date/time here.

 

The Diet-Betus – our version of recipe of the month just with a healthier tweak

Start this recipe before you head out to make that blood donation and that evening you can snuggle in with a nice warm bowl of pure yumminess and the self satisfaction of knowing you helped to save a life.

Mediterranean Lentil Soup

Ingredients

  • 2 tsp canola oil
  • 1 onion(s) (diced)
  • 2 clove garlic (minced)
  • 1 lb Italian turkey sausage((meat squeezed out of casing), sliced)
  • 32 oz low sodium chicken broth (reduced-sodium, fat-free)
  • 14-ounce, diced tomatoes
  • 3 cup water
  • 1 cup dried lentils
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ¼ tsp dried oregano
  • 1 bay leaves

Directions:

  1. Heat the oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and sauté for 3 minutes or until clear. Add the garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.
  2. Add the turkey Italian sausage and cook about 8 minutes until brown. Add the remaining ingredients.
  3. Bring the soup to a boil; reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.

Community offerings*

* Many community offering have been postponed, changed or canceled as a result of the coronavirus/COVID 19. Please call the number listed for the event to verify its availability, dates and times.

If you have questions regarding Coronavirus/COVID-19 please call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634), or go to https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html or https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/.

 

Diabetes Empowerment Education Program (DEEP) – Erie County Senior Center

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

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. New 2021 schedule pending.

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, 70% of our diabetic patients had an A1C of less than 9%. Talk with your provider to discuss the right options for you.