Education is key to managing diabetes

Learning you have diabetes can seem intimidating at first. Figuring out what to eat and how to test glucose levels can be overwhelming to say the least. Freeman Health System has several services to assist those who have diabetes.

Diabetes is spreading at a rampant rate in the United States. It is the most common endocrine disorder diagnosed in the country.

Freeman’s skilled endocrinologists at Freeman Diabetes & Endocrine Institute can diagnose, treat and help you manage your diabetes.

Our endocrinologists can coordinate your care with Freeman’s team of more than 300 physicians.

Take Freeman’s Online Diabetes Risk Assessment at freemanhealth.com to learn your risk.

Educating the Community

In order to reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications, one must competently control blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol. Regulating all three factors is essential to achieve the greatest reduction in risk. Luckily, you don’t have to figure it out on your own.

Freeman Diabetes Education provides training by professional diabetes educators. Freeman is the only local hospital with diabetes educators that are certified through National Certification Board of Diabetes Educators and certified insulin pump trainers. The program offers individualized counseling and informative classes. Diabetes education is covered by Medicare Part B insurance and most private insurance.

Freeman Diabetes Education has created several avenues to teach the public about the disease.

Freeman Real Living with Diabetes is a meeting for anyone struggling with diabetes to discuss real issues and concerns. Each month there is a speaker who addresses a variety of diabetes related topics. This group meets 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm the third Monday of every month at Joplin Public Library, 1901 E. 20th Street, Joplin, Mo.

Freeman Living with Type 1 Diabetes is a quarterly meeting which meets 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm the fourth Monday of the month at Joplin Public Library. This support group is a time to share, meet others and support those with type 1 diabetes.

Maintaining a healthy diet is essential for those living with diabetes. Freeman Diabetes Education offers a one-hour healthy eating class with a registered dietitian to help teach the basics of a healthy, well-balance eating plan. The cost is $25. Learning the basics at a young age can help prevent the development of diabetes. Healthy Eating Class for Kids is available for children and their families to learn the basics of a healthy meal and snack plan. The cost is $45. Both classes are held monthly by appointment at Freeman Women’s Center, 1532 W. 32nd St., Ste. 202, Joplin, MO 64804. To learn more about Freeman Diabetes Education, call 417.347.5700.