Get ready for spring with KEYs-4-Diabetes

“We get a ‘spring tune-up’ on our vehicles and do ‘spring cleaning’ at home,” said Barb Voss, Certified Diabetes Educator at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese. “Why not give your body a chance to gear up for spring with the KEYs-4-Life Diabetes program?”

Offered at the hospital HealthPlex, KEYs-Diabetes includes presentations by a registered nurse and certified athletic trainer plus eight weeks of access to the Health­Plex indoor exercise facility. Blood pressure and weight are checked weekly with a final evaluation at the end of the eight weeks.

Cost is $60 and participants can continue using the exercise facility—open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays and 7 a.m. to 12 noon Saturdays (except holidays)—for $30 a month after the initial eight weeks.

KEYs-Diabetes is an on-going program, Voss said.

“When you’re ready, we can help you do it safely,” she said. “If you’re interested, we’re here for you.”

Participants must be cleared by a physician before beginning. Forms are available from Voss or by following the HealthPlex link at www.stjoebreese.com.

Medical issues for those with high blood sugar can include heart and kidney disease, stroke, blindness and neuropathy, Voss said.  As the number of people with high blood sugar increases, so does the number of deaths and it is now the fifth-deadliest disease in the United States.

Diabetes risk factors include being over 45 years old, obesity, poor eating habits and inactivity while symptoms include fatigue, increased hunger or thirst, frequent urination, weight loss, irritability and vision changes. Anyone with one or more symptoms should contact his or her health professional.

Some people show no symptoms and must be diagnosed through a physical or blood chemistry.

A Comprehensive Blood Screening, which includes a blood sugar check, will be available at the hospital health screenings scheduled from 6 to 10 a.m. Thursday, March 11, at the Breese Knights of Columbus; Wednesday, March 17, at Germantown Legion; Tuesday, March 23, at Carlyle Knights of Columbus; and Tuesday, March 30, at St. Mary’s in Trenton. The CBS is $40 and a 10- to 12-hour fast is recommended.

A Hemoglobin A1c may be added to the CBS panel for an additional $10; and free diabetes finger sticks will also be offered.

Pre-registration is recommended and forms are available at the hospital, www.stjoebreese.com and throughout the community.

For health screening information, contact 526-5439 or e-mail Karyn Whitlatch. For more information on KEYs-Diabetes, contact 526-5743 or e-mail Barb Voss. The hospital’s diabetes program is recognized by the American Diabetes Association.