Diabetes News – August 2019

August is National Eye Exam Month

Diabetes is the leading cause of preventable new onset blindness in working-age adults. Diabetic retinopathy is the most common eye disease for people with diabetes. It occurs when the small blood vessels in the eye are damaged by high levels of glucose in the blood. Anyone with type 1 or type 2 diabetes can have diabetic eye disease and not know it, as it is painless and often has no symptoms until very advanced stages. The earlier it is diagnosed the more effective the treatment. With appropriate care you can reduce the risk of blindness and increase your chances of preserving sight.

Clinical guidelines recommend you take a three-pronged approach to preserving your vision:

  1. Maintain excellent A1C and blood glucose levels.
  2. Keep your blood pressure and other health factors, such as your cholesterol, in check.
  3. Make sure you get your eyes checked YEARLY through a dilated eye exam (an exam in which the doctor places drops in your eyes) or specially validated photographs of your retinas (the inside of the eyes).

Although diabetes is the leading cause of adult-onset blindness, the good news is that vision loss due to diabetic retinopathy can be prevented. Take charge of your eye health and make sure that an annual dilated eye exam is part of your comprehensive treatment plan.

August is also great grilling weather! This recipe is definitely worth trying. Use the vegetables recommended in the recipe or switch it up with something fresh from the garden or the farmer’s market.

Summer Steak Kabobs

Ingredients

  • ½ cup canola oil
  • ¼ cup soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons white vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1-1/2 pounds beef top sirloin steak, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1/2 pound whole fresh mushrooms
  • 2 medium onions, cut into wedges
  • 1 medium sweet red pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 medium green pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 medium yellow summer squash, cut into 1/2-inch slices
  • Hot cooked rice – your favorite kind will work just fine

Directions

  • In a large bowl, combine first six ingredients. Add beef; turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.
  • On 12 metal or soaked wooden skewers, alternately thread beef and vegetables; discard marinade. Grill kabobs, covered, over medium heat until beef reaches desired doneness, 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally. Serve with rice. ENJOY!

COMMUNITY OFFERINGS:

HEALTH & WELLNESS SCREENING – offered by Firelands Regional Medical Center

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

Port Clinton Health & Wellness Screening

Drs. Braniecki and Dr. Widmer
3960 East Harbor Road
Port Clinton, OH
Saturday, August 17
7:30 AM – 9:30 AM

Sandusky Health & Wellness Screening

Firelands Main Campus
1111 Hayes Ave. Sandusky, OH
Saturday, September 14
7:00 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, 68% of our diabetic patients had an A1C of less than 9%. Talk with your provider to discuss the right options for you, including programs such as DEEP.

Diabetes Empowerment Education Program – DEEP

No classes available at this time. Classes will start again next year. Dates will be posted here later this fall.

COST:

Free

CONTACT:

Serving Our Seniors /Tina Elmlinger

419-624-1856

The presenter is Tina Elmlinger, Healthcare Advocate Trainer. Classes are held once a week for six weeks for Erie County residents who are aged 60 or older and are pre-diabetic or diabetic. A spouse or caregiver may also attend. Advanced registration is required, 419-624-1856. Please call and leave your name, phone number and the name of the program you wish to attend. If the class is cancelled, you will be notified.

For additional date and locations contact Serving Our Seniors at 419-624-1856.