Diabetes Education
Our bodies change the food we eat into sugar (glucose). We then need insulin to move sugar from the blood into body cells. When there is not enough insulin, sugar levels in the blood get too high and cause problems.
There are 3 types of diabetes:
Type 1: Occurs when there is very little or no insulin made by the body
Type 2: Occurs when there is not enough insulin made by the body, or the body is not using insulin properly
Gestational: Diabetes during pregnancy
If you have any one of these types of diabetes it is VERY IMPORTANT to keep your blood sugar within normal limits.
Learning all you can about diabetes, checking your own blood sugar and regular visits with your doctor are the only sure ways to make sure your diabetes is in good control.
Symptoms of Diabetes:
*Always thirsty
*Urinating more often
*Feeling sleepy (especially after meals)
*Hungry more often
*Cuts or sores that do not heal
*Dry itchy skin
*Numbness or tingling in fingers and toes
**Some people with high blood sugar have no symptoms at all!
High blood sugar can affect your daily living because of the above symptoms. In addition, high blood sugar can put you at risk for diabetes related problems.
Diabetes Related Problems Include:
*Heart disease and stroke
*Blindness
*Kidney failure
*Amputations
*Pain or numbness in feet
*Getting sick with cold and flu more often
Sun Health Diabetes Education Program offers the following services:
* Meal planning
* Exercise planning
* Blood glucose monitoring
* Medication teaching
* Self Care teaching
* Insulin pump therapy
* Continuous Blood Glucose Monitoring
* Diabetic Screenings
* Special support groups and events
To enroll in the Diabetes Education Program, you will need a referral from your physician. The Sun Health staff will provide referral forms and information to your physician.
The first appointment is an assessment appointment. The educator will review what your history and needs are, obtain a height, weight, BMI, and foot check.
The second appointment will be a week after your assessment appointment. You will meet with the nurse and dietitian who will provide you with an individualized meal plan and teach you about your specific diabetes needs. Often this includes blood glucose monitoring and medication teaching. If you do not have a glucose meter, one will be provided free of charge. A full report will be sent to your primary doctor.
Over the next 9 months you will meet with the nurse and dietitian to review your educational goals, continue teaching as needed, and download your glucose meter. These reports will be sent to your doctor.
The Sun Health educator is Jodi Limacher, RD MS CDE. Jodi specializes in diabetes education and is available to answer any questions you may have.
The Sun Health Diabetes Education Program received recognition from the American Diabetes Association in April, 2002. This means that Sun Health has proved standards of excellence and also that Medicare will pay for services received at Sun Health. Medicare will not pay for services at programs that do not have ADA recognition. Sun Health is the only program on the west side of Joliet who is Medicare approved.
Most insurance plans also pay for diabetes education. We will verify all your benefits before you start the program. For more information, please call 815-744-9300.
For patient referral, please contact us
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