|
|
|
Joplin, Mo. —
Help is available for diabetes patients, but many people may be undiagnosed.
American Diabetes Association Alert Day is Tuesday and the Freeman Health System is using the day to help people through a free screening.
“We have a lot of people call and say, ‘How would I know?’” said Susan Pittman, Freeman’s program coordinator for diabetes education.
Risk factors can include obesity or a family history of the disease. Symptoms can include frequent urination, unusual thirst, weight loss, and fatigue, or there may be no symptoms at all.
The free test is not meant to be a diagnosis, but a free test to check and while it’s best to get a baseline from the test by fasting, she just needs people to tell her if they have had something to eat before the test.
“It’s not to replace a doctor’s visit,” Pittman said, “but to let them know that they need to be getting in to see their doctor.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 5.7 million people in the United States have diabetes, but are undiagnosed. Roughly 17.9 million people in the U.S. have been diagnosed.
Knowing what they are dealing with is helpful for patients, Pittman said, and changes – even incremental ones – in lifestyle and dietary habits can help.
This year is the first time they have held the event. Information booths and educators will be available to answer questions.
QuickMeds Pharmacy will host the alert day from 8 a.m. to noon Tuesday at their 32nd and McClelland location. Free blood sugar screenings will available and diabetes educators will answer questions about diabetes risk factors.
For additional information, please call Freeman Diabetes Education at 347-5831.
Help is available for diabetes patients, but many people may be undiagnosed.
American Diabetes Association Alert Day is Tuesday and the Freeman Health System is using the day to help people through a free screening.
“We have a lot of people call and say, ‘How would I know?’” said Susan Pittman, Freeman’s program coordinator for diabetes education.
Risk factors can include obesity or a family history of the disease. Symptoms can include frequent urination, unusual thirst, weight loss, and fatigue, or there may be no symptoms at all.
The free test is not meant to be a diagnosis, but a free test to check and while it’s best to get a baseline from the test by fasting, she just needs people to tell her if they have had something to eat before the test.
“It’s not to replace a doctor’s visit,” Pittman said, “but to let them know that they need to be getting in to see their doctor.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 5.7 million people in the United States have diabetes, but are undiagnosed. Roughly 17.9 million people in the U.S. have been diagnosed.
Knowing what they are dealing with is helpful for patients, Pittman said, and changes – even incremental ones – in lifestyle and dietary habits can help.
This year is the first time they have held the event. Information booths and educators will be available to answer questions.
QuickMeds Pharmacy will host the alert day from 8 a.m. to noon Tuesday at their 32nd and McClelland location. Free blood sugar screenings will available and diabetes educators will answer questions about diabetes risk factors.
For additional information, please call Freeman Diabetes Education at 347-5831.
