KEYs-Diabetes offers help with high blood sugar

Exercise and diet are two of the simplest ways to deal with high blood sugar and the KEYs-4-Life Diabetes program at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese can point you in the right direction.

“Keeping blood sugar under control can be a problem when winter weather seems to call for hearty meals and it may be too cold for outdoor exercise,” said hospital Certified Diabetes Educator Barb Voss. “This program can put you on the right path.”

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, Voss said. Other medical issues include stroke, blindness and neuropathy.

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, Voss said.

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 their health professional.

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

in addition to KEYs, the hospital’s diabetes program also has certified diabetes educators, a registered, licensed dietitian and a support group.

For more information on KEYs-Diabetes or any aspect of the hospital’s diabetes program, which is recognized by the American Diabetes Association, contact 526-5743 or e-mail Barb Voss.