Diabetes is an ever-growing issue in our community, so much so that The Texas Tribune released an article titled, "A slow killer: East Texans are diagnosed with diabetes at a higher rate than the national average." Aaron Dudley, one of the physician assistants here at ACCHD, was among the public health officials to comment. You can read the full article HERE.
If you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, a family history of diabetes, or you are of African American, Asian-American, Hispanic, Native American or Pacific Islander descent, it’s important to be tested for diabetes. Many people with diabetes don’t develop any symptoms, or they develop them so slowly they go unnoticed.
Warning signs for diabetes include increased thirst and appetite, fatigue, frequent urination, weight loss, blurred vision, and lesions that don’t heal.
If you’re diagnosed with diabetes, you’ll have to regularly monitor your blood sugar level. Keeping a log is very important, because it gives your health care provider a good understanding of how your body is responding to the treatment plan. Ask your health care provider if you should be using a home monitor, and if so, find out what numbers are too high or too low for you, and find out what to do if your numbers fall outside of that safe range.
If you need help and education with diabetes, we can help find the right program for you and we can get you answers fast by providing individualized assistance with applications, eligibility screening, and documentation. Visit our Angelina County Connects location at 503 Hill Street, Lufkin or call (936) 633-1442.
ACCHD teams up with the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Office in Angelina County to offer quarterly free or low-cost classes on managing Type 2 diabetes. These classes are led by a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Registered Nurse in a relaxed setting where you can get your questions answered. Some of the topics we'll cover include:
You can find the registration form for these classes HERE and the scholarship application HERE. You must pre-register to reserve a spot. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram to get updates about the next available class or subscribe to our Google calendar. If you have any questions, contact ACCHD's Ann Watson, RN and Public Health Nurse Educator, at awatson@acchd.us or (936) 633-0629.
