Metro Creative Services
Chris Roark, croark@cherryroad.com
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Ellis County is teaming up with H-E-B to host a day-long information session about type 2 diabetes management.
The class is set for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 4 at the Waxahachie Housing Authority, 208 Patrick St. in Waxahachie.
Julie Mendenhall, a registered nurse and a certified diabetes care and education specialist, will lead the class. She has over 10 years of experience in helping patients learn how to manage their diabetes successfully by making the information easy to understand and applicable to their lives.
Danae Hicks, family and community health agent for the extension service, said the class is important to not only help people who have diabetes but also people could get the disease in the future.
According to state data 12.4 percent of the Texas population, or 2.6 million people, have been diagnosed with diabetes. Approximately 600,000 have diabetes and don’t even know it.
“That’s scary because there are a lot of side effects that are life altering or life ending,” Hicks said.
Approximately 34 percent of Texans, or 7 million people, are considered to be pre-diabetic, meaning their blood sugar is higher than what doctors would like it to be.
Mendenhall said the class will teach about diabetes, including types of diabetes, signs and symptoms, prevention, management and treatment.
There are several ways to manage diabetes, such as eating balanced meals, counting carbohydrates, taking medication as the doctor has ordered, maintaining a healthier weight, being active, finding ways to reduce stress and not smoking.
The class will help residents understand the dangers of uncontrolled diabetes and how it affects the body.
She said participants will learn how to monitor blood sugar, what blood sugar levels should be and how blood sugar control helps protect health. They will also learn how to count carbohydrates to help create satisfying and healthful meal plans to fit individual lifestyles.
The class will also stress how regular exercise is essential for controlling body weight and blood sugar.
“The class is designed to be fun, interactive and very informative,” Mendenhall said.
Hicks said while there will be a lot of information, it will be presented in a way that’s easy to follow.
“We give bite-sized goals to give them to help them manage diabetes,” Hicks said.
There will be door prizes at the event, and H-E-B will sponsor a fajita lunch.
To register email Hicks at danae.hicks@ag.tamu.edu. Registration deadline is Feb. 1.
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