AdventHealth Waterman now offering course on diabetes management

AdventHealth Waterman is now offering a five-session Diabetes Self-Management course. The class will meet Mondays from 10am-noon from Jan. 6 to Feb. 3 in the Conry CREATION Health Center at AdventHealth Waterman, 1000 Waterman Way, Tavares. The class is encouraged for those with pre-diabetes or diabetes.

Classes will be taught by a certified diabetes educator and professional health educator. The courses include: understanding diabetes, carbohydrate management and meal planning, exercise planning, blood glucose monitoring, managing and preventing complications and information on how making these lifestyle changes can improve overall health. 

Diabetes education plays an important role in helping diagnosed patients improve their health and avoid potential complications associated with the disease. If left unmanaged, diabetes can cause harmful complications such as heart disease, kidney disease, vision loss or stroke. According to the American Diabetes Association, many of these complications are preventable with early diagnosis and self-management. 

One in three U.S. adults has pre-diabetes, where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. With early self-management the progression from pre-diabetes to diabetes can be delayed or prevented.

“The presence of diabetes in Lake County has been growing every year since 2002, and currently affects more than 13% of the community, which is higher than the state average,” said Candace Huber, AdventHealth Waterman director of mission development. “Education is the most important tool we can utilize to help our community address this disease. With proper nutrition, medication, exercise and monitoring, patients can maintain optimal wellness and achieve a higher quality of life despite this disease.” 

Tuition for the 5-session course including all materials such as booklets and handouts is $50. To register or for more information on the Diabetes Self-Management course, call 352.253.3685 or visit conrycreationhealth.com.