Diabetes News – April 2022
APRIL IS NATIONAL STRESS AWARENESS MONTH
And who isn’t a little bit stressed right now? Diabetes management is a lifelong process. This can add stress to your daily life. Stress can be a major barrier to effective glucose control. Stress hormones in your body may directly affect glucose levels. If you’re experiencing stress or feeling threatened, your body reacts. This is called the fight-or-flight response. This response elevates your hormone levels and causes your nerve cells to fire.
During this response, your body releases adrenaline and cortisol into your bloodstream and your respiratory rates increase. Your body directs blood to the muscles and limbs, allowing you to fight the situation. Your body may not be able to process the glucose released by your firing nerve cells if you have diabetes. If you can’t convert the glucose into energy, it builds up in the bloodstream. This causes your blood glucose levels to rise.
Constant stress from long-term problems with blood glucose can also wear you down mentally and physically. This may make managing your diabetes difficult. There are many healthy ways to decrease your stress. If you’re feeling stressed about your condition, know that you aren’t alone. You can connect with people online or in your community for solidarity and support.
Online support groups
You can often find online support groups that offers helpful tips and a strong community to help you cope. Diabetic Connect is an online resource dedicated to improving your quality of life. It provides articles, recipes, and informative videos.
In-person support groups
For women with diabetes, Diabetes Sisters offers nationwide meetups. The group started in North Carolina and expanded due to popularity. They now offer in-person groups throughout the country. These informal meetings are held on weeknights and typically last for one or two hours.
Defeat Diabetes Foundation provides a listing of peer support groups in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. You even search the directory and submit a listing of your own. The American Diabetes Association also offers local offices focused on education and community outreach.
Therapy
You may feel more comfortable talking with a professional about your stress. A therapist can provide coping mechanisms tailored to your individual situation and give you a safe environment to talk. They may also provide medical advice that online or in-person support groups can’t offer. We offer in-house, quality behavioral health treatment at FHS. If you would like to make an appointment, call 419-502-2803, or fill out our new patient form today.
The Diet-Betus – our version of recipe of the month
Here is a meal that helps to make dinner time stress free.
Penne with Asparagus and Cherry Tomatoes
Total: 15 min
Prep: 5 min
Cook: 10 min
Yield: 4 to 6 servings
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces whole grain penne pasta
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 1/2 pounds thin asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 cups (about 9 ounces) cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup shelled fresh peas
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken stock
- 1 cup grated Parmesan
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves
Directions:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
- In a large saute pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the asparagus, season with the salt and pepper, and cook for 3 minutes until slightly soft. Add the cherry tomatoes and peas. Cook for 2 minutes. Pour the chicken stock into the pan and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook until the tomatoes start to burst and the stock is reduced by half, about 3 minutes.
- Transfer the asparagus mixture to a large serving bowl. Add the cooked pasta and 1/2 of the Parmesan. Toss well, adding reserved pasta water, if needed, to loosen the pasta. Garnish with the remaining Parmesan and chopped basil.
Source: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/penne-with-asparagus-and-cherry-tomatoes-spring-recipe-1939598
Community offerings: *
* Due to coronavirus/COVID 19, many community offerings have been changed, postponed, or canceled.
Please call the number listed for the event to verify 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)
COST:
Free
CONTACT:
Tina Ellinger 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.
Sandusky Health & Wellness
Firelands Sandusky HealthCare Center
2520 Columbus Ave.
Sandusky, OH 44870
Saturday, April 9
7:00 am to 9:30 pm
Firelands Sandusky HealthCare Center
2520 Columbus Ave.
Sandusky, OH 44870
Saturday, May 14
7:00 am to 9:30 pm
Firelands Sandusky HealthCare Center
2520 Columbus Ave.
Sandusky, OH 44870
Saturday, June 4
7:00 am to 9:30 pm
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
Please comply with the following COVID-19 precautions:
- Wear a mask
- Have your temperature taken upon arrival
- Follow social distancing practices
Please note
- Patients will not be allowed to enter until their scheduled time
- Walk-ins will not be accepted
- Only the registered patient will be allowed to enter the screening unless the patient needs assistance from an accompanying person
- We are unable to perform any additional physician-ordered tests not included in the list above.
Contact: Centralized Scheduling at 419-557-7840 to pre-register
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.
https://www.healthline.com/health/diabetes-and-stress. Accessed 03/20/2020
APRIL IS NATIONAL STRESS AWARENESS MONTH
And who isn’t a little bit stressed right now?
Diabetes management is a lifelong process. This can add stress to your daily life. Stress can be a major barrier to effective glucose control. Stress hormones in your body may directly affect glucose levels. If you’re experiencing stress or feeling threatened, your body reacts. This is called the fight-or-flight response. This response elevates your hormone levels and causes your nerve cells to fire.
During this response, your body releases adrenaline and cortisol into your bloodstream and your respiratory rates increase. Your body directs blood to the muscles and limbs, allowing you to fight the situation. Your body may not be able to process the glucose released by your firing nerve cells if you have diabetes. If you can’t convert the glucose into energy, it builds up in the bloodstream. This causes your blood glucose levels to rise.
Constant stress from long-term problems with blood glucose can also wear you down mentally and physically. This may make managing your diabetes difficult. There are many healthy ways to decrease your stress.
How to cope with diabetes-related stress
If you’re feeling stressed about your condition, know that you aren’t alone. You can connect with people online or in your community for solidarity and support.
Online support groups
You can often find online support groups that offers helpful tips and a strong community to help you cope. Diabetic Connect is an online resource dedicated to improving your quality of life. It provides articles, recipes, and informative videos.
In-person support groups
For women with diabetes, Diabetes Sisters offers nationwide meetups. The group started in North Carolina and expanded due to popularity. They now offer in-person groups throughout the country. These informal meetings are held on weeknights and typically last for one or two hours.
Defeat Diabetes Foundation provides a listing of peer support groups in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. You even search the directory and submit a listing of your own. The American Diabetes Association also offers local offices focused on education and community outreach.
Therapy
You may feel more comfortable talking with a professional about your stress. A therapist can provide coping mechanisms tailored to your individual situation and give you a safe environment to talk. They may also provide medical advice that online or in-person support groups can’t offer. We offer in-house, quality behavioral health treatment at FHS. If you would like to make an appointment, call 419-502-2803, or fill out our new patient form today.
Purdie, Jennifer. Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, PhD, MSN, RN, CNE, COI on April 29, 2016”Stress: How it Affects Diabetes and How to Decrease it”
The Diet-Betus – our version of recipe of the month
Here is a meal that helps to make dinner time stress free.
Penne with Asparagus and Cherry Tomatoes
Total: 15 min
Prep: 5 min
Cook: 10 min
Yield: 4 to 6 servings
Ingredients:
· 8 ounces whole grain penne pasta
· 3 tablespoons olive oil
· 2 garlic cloves, minced
· 1 1/2 pounds thin asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
· Salt and freshly ground black pepper
· 2 cups (about 9 ounces) cherry tomatoes
· 1 cup shelled fresh peas
· 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken stock
· 1 cup grated Parmesan
· 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves
Directions:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
In a large saute pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the asparagus, season with the salt and pepper, and cook for 3 minutes until slightly soft. Add the cherry tomatoes and peas. Cook for 2 minutes. Pour the chicken stock into the pan and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook until the tomatoes start to burst and the stock is reduced by half, about 3 minutes.
Transfer the asparagus mixture to a large serving bowl. Add the cooked pasta and 1/2 of the Parmesan. Toss well, adding reserved pasta water, if needed, to loosen the pasta. Garnish with the remaining Parmesan and chopped basil.
Source: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/penne-with-asparagus-and-cherry-tomatoes-spring-recipe-1939598
Community offerings: *
* Due to coronavirus/COVID 19, many community offerings have been changed, postponed, or canceled.
Please call the number listed for the event to verify 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)
COST:
Free
CONTACT:
Tina Ellinger 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.
Sandusky Health & Wellness
Firelands Sandusky HealthCare Center
2520 Columbus Ave.
Sandusky, OH 44870
Saturday, April 9
7:00 am to 9:30 pm
Firelands Sandusky HealthCare Center
2520 Columbus Ave.
Sandusky, OH 44870
Saturday, May 14
7:00 am to 9:30 pm
Firelands Sandusky HealthCare Center
2520 Columbus Ave.
Sandusky, OH 44870
Saturday, June 4
7:00 am to 9:30 pm
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
Please comply with the following COVID-19 precautions:
- Wear a mask
- Have your temperature taken upon arrival
- Follow social distancing practices
Please note
- Patients will not be allowed to enter until their scheduled time
- Walk-ins will not be accepted
- Only the registered patient will be allowed to enter the screening unless the patient needs assistance from an accompanying person
- We are unable to perform any additional physician-ordered tests not included in the list above.
Contact: Centralized Scheduling at 419-557-7840 to pre-register
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.