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Many of us have lived with diabetes
for years. Clients often share stories about the complications
their loved ones have suffered as a result of diabetes. We now
know that those complications can be prevented or delayed with
good blood sugar control. We also know that Type 2 Diabetes
doesn’t have to be destiny for American Indians. It too can be
prevented or delayed. That’s the story we’d like you to share
with your loved ones. Let them know that they have the power to
prevent diabetes by exercising more, eating healthy foods and
losing weight.
Fond du Lac Human Services is
offering a new Diabetes Prevention Program with help from the
Indian Health Service. It is for American Indians, age 18 and
older, who have a medical condition called “prediabetes”.
“Prediabetes” is a condition that comes before diabetes. It
means that blood sugar is higher than normal, but not high
enough to be called diabetes. Our program involves attending
classes to learn how to eat healthier food, increase physical
activity (mostly by walking), and lose some weight (about 10-15
pounds). Our goal is to help Indian people in our service area
prevent diabetes.
We are asking you to talk to your
loved ones about the program. Most people do not know if they
have prediabetes, as there aren’t usually any symptoms. If they
have prediabetes and don’t make lifestyle changes, they are at
very high risk for getting type 2 diabetes in the next five to
ten years. Your loved ones could have prediabetes if:
- Someone in their family has
diabetes
- They weigh more than they
should
- They had diabetes when they
were pregnant (called “gestational diabetes”)
- They had a baby weighing over
9 pounds at birth
- A doctor or nurse has said to
them they have a “touch of sugar”, “borderline diabetes” or
“prediabetes”
We are currently screening people
that are at risk for prediabetes at both Min No Aya Win and the
Center for American Indian Resources. The screening involves a
lab test called an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test. This is a
fasting lab test, so appointments are scheduled in the morning
starting at 8:00. The appointment takes about 2 hours and
includes:
- Fasting blood draw to
determine fasting blood sugar level (a value of 100-125
indicates prediabetes)
- Drinking a high-carbohydrate
beverage
- Blood draws 1 and 2 hours
after drinking the beverage to determine how the body handled
the carbohydrate load (a value of 140-199 at the 2 hour blood
draw indicates prediabetes)
- Meeting with program staff to
learn more information on the program and have questions
answered.
- So far, we have completed more
than 70 oral glucose tolerance tests. Clients diagnosed with
prediabetes after this test are then invited to join the
program.
We are planning on starting our
first sessions of diabetes prevention classes in May. The 16
weekly classes cover a variety of topics including strategies
for weight loss and physical activity, managing stress, and ways
to stay motivated. Classes will continue to be offered
throughout the program.
For more information about this
program, contact Chris Foss-Tietz at 878-3708 or talk about it
with your medical provider.
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I was born and raised
in Cloquet and now reside in Carlton with my husband Scott and our
four dogs. 