Diabetes Management
Our Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) Program is recognized by the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Working with your own primary care provider and our team of Certified Diabetes Educators (CDEs) which includes a nurse and a dietitian, you can achieve your goals for living well with diabetes. You and your family are an important part of the diabetes management team.
Our Program Includes
- Monitoring and Use of Blood Sugar Results
- Monitoring Hyperglycemia and Hypoglycemia
- Skin and Foot Care
- Goal Setting
- Stress Management
- Coping
- Nutrition
- Shopping and Cooking Tips
- Exercise
- Medication Options
- Community Resources
- A Three Month Follow-up Session to Assess Goals Attained
| There are new methods of self-management, including new information for individualized meal planning, new medications, monitoring of blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood cholesterol as well as strategies for daily activity based on up to date clinical studies. The Mt. Ascutney Hospital DSME Program will help you manage your ABCs: A is For A-1-C An A-1-C is the blood glucose (sugar) check with a memory. It tells you your average blood glucose for the past 2 to 3 months. Optional goal is an A-1-C below 7%. |
B is for blood pressure
Your blood pressure numbers tell you the force of blood inside your blood vessels. When your blood is high, your heart has to work harder than it should. Goal for blood pressure is less than 130/80.
C is for cholesterol
Your cholesterol number tells you the amount of fat in your blood.
In the blood, cholesterol is carried in small packages called lipoproteins (lip-o-PRO-teens). Two kinds of lipoproteins carry cholesterol through your body. It's important to have healthy levels of both LOW-density and HIGH-density lipoproteins.
Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) can lead to a buildup of cholesterol in the arteries. Some people call LDL bad cholesterol. You can remember LDL by thinking, L is for Lousy. The higher the LDL level in your blood, the greater chance you have of getting heart disease. Aim for a LDL of less than 100.
High-density lipoproteins (HDL) are also known as good cholesterol (think, H is for Happy). HDL helps remove cholesterol from your body, so the higher your HDL, the lower your chance for getting heart disease. Aim for a HDL of over 40. (Excerpts from the ADA).
Optimal diabetes self management requires a team effort of the person with diabetes, members of the family, his or her primary care provider and certified diabetes educators (CDEs) a nurse and dietitian.
For more information or to schedule an appointment with the Diabetes Clinic at Mt. Ascutney Hospital call Nancy McCullough, RN, CDE at (802) 674-7198.
For more information about the monthly Diabetes Support Group call Virginia Morse, RD, CDE at (802) 674-7135. Anyone with diabetes and/or family and friends is welcome to attend.
