Diabetes Expo planned

Observer Staff

7/5/2005 12:00:00 AM

Preventive efforts and free exams will be offered during the fifth annual Diabetes Expo on April 5 from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Soaring Eagle Resort Conference Center.

"We hope to motivate people with diabetes to take control of their health by keeping all of their medical appointments and also to make sure they have the necessary exams and tests done on an annual basis." stated Certified Diabetes Educator Tammy House of the Nimkee Memorial Wellness Center. "Diabetes is a self-managed chronic disease. There is no cure, but diabetes is controllable. The more you know about the disease, the better a diabetic can control it and live a normal life."

The disease affects an estimated 491,000 adults in Michigan and was the sixth leading cause of death in the state several years ago. Estimated health care costs associated with diabetes has been pegged at $3.5 billion in lost productivity due to premature death, disability and illness.

Each year an average of 25,000 people go blind from diabetic reinopathy, a disease of the blood vessels in the retina. However, 90 percent of these cases could be prevented through an annual dilated eye exam.

Diabetic retinopathy often goes unnoticed since there are no initial symptoms, according to House. She said the disease is not accompanied by pain, blurred vision or inflammation.

Free dilated eye exams, kidney function tests and blood work-including checks for cholesterol, blood glucose and blood pressure-will take place at the event. Complete foot exams are also part of the preventive posture at the expo. All participants will be eligible for door prizes.

About one in five diabetics seek medical attention for ordinary foot problems that can eventually lead to serious complications. Routine foot care can prevent most related difficulties, added House.

The expo will also feature several informational workshops including nutrition, diabetic care for Elders and Type 2 diabetes prevention.

Diabetes prevention efforts include simple lifestyle changes, including healthy eating and regular exercise. Since diabetics have a higher risk for heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure and blindness, the more carefully they manage their disease, the more likely they are to reduce their risk for other serious health problems, she also said.

Diabetes support group meetings take place on the fourth Thursday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the Nimkee Memorial Wellness Center. During last year's expo, health care providers conducted about 200 health screenings.

The event is sponsored by theNimkee Memorial Wellness Center and the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan. For more information about the event, contact House at (989) 775-4612.