Page 9 - Chehalis Tribal Newsletter - December, 2018

9

Screenings can help catch diabetes early

Annual exam is an symptoms so we encourage Diabetes affects on body annual exam and allow your
important part of you to come to the clinic to be Because diabetes changes provider to do recommended
tested!
screenings so we can catch
protecting yourself Type 1 and type 2 diabetes the composition of blood, it diabetes very early.
affects every organ in the body.
The earlier we catch it, the
Contributed by medical providers at A majority of Native Diabetes is now the No. 1 cause better the chances of limiting its
Chehalis Tribal Wellness Center American patients with diabetes of kidney failure creating the negative effects or possibly even
have type 2. need for dialysis to survive. reversing it with enough good
The Chehalis Tribal Wellness Type 1 is an autoimmune Diabetic neuropathy nutrition and physical activity.
Center has been coordinating disease where your own body commonly affects legs and feet
annual events around diabetes attacks your pancreatic beta but also can present itself as How to get tested
for several years. cells, which releases insulin and gastroparesis (slowed digestion), We can screen for diabetes
The purpose of the event is to causes sudden loss of normal erectile dysfunction, chronic in a number of ways including
raise awareness about diabetes blood sugar control. diarrhea/constipation, rapid a hemoglobin A1c level, which
and provide an opportunity Type 2 diabetes is a fluctuations in blood pressure or gives us an indication of your
for folks to ask questions and progression of insulin resistance decreased ability to empty your average blood sugar during the
learn more about what diabetes or gradual loss of normal blood bladder. past three months.
is and how it can affect health. sugar control. Diabetes also is the No. 1 Other options are a finger
Lunch & Learn sessions hosted Increased body fat leading cause of blindness in the stick blood sugar test (you
by the clinic also provide good – especially around the United States. might have seen these at several
information. mid-section, diets rich in Finally, the leading causes of health fairs) or a glucose
Individuals with diabetes refined sugars and processed death from diabetes are heart tolerance test that many of our
might not be aware of or feel carbohydrates and a decrease attacks and strokes. pregnant patients and moms
severe symptoms of the disease in physical activity can worsen are encouraged to have during
for years. insulin resistance until Prevention methods pregnancy.
This is because our bodies try pancreatic beta cells fatigue. What we put into our bodies
to bring us back to balance and The result of this fatigue plays the largest role, but we Tribe offers resources
our pancreatic cells are working is a decrease in insulin can’t underestimate the need We have a great diabetic
hard to keep our blood sugars production and an increase to keep our bodies moving. nurse educator, Sandra
under control so we cannot in blood sugar. Sugar Each body will do its Dickenson, who has been a
detect those changes in our levels rise from best to work with what licensed practical nurse for more
blood work. normal ranges to it’s given (adequate than 20 years.
Common symptoms intolerant ranges nutrition or lack Also at the Wellness Center
thereof).
and finally
As blood sugar level rises diabetic Make is Christina Hicks, who helps
coordinate many of our diabetic
above normal, people might ranges. sure to events aimed at increasing
notice increased thirst or have an awareness, knowledge and tools
increased urination and possible to manage diabetes.
early neuropathy (numbness/ We hope tribal members
tingling of your extremities). and their families feel like they
Occasionally, diabetes is have a good ally in our clinic
diagnosed when you feel so providers to work with them
bad that you end up in the on an individualized plan
hospital from weakness, to treat and/or prevent
nausea and significant diabetes and its many
weight loss. People complications.
can have diabetes
for a long time
without any

WIC THROUGH SPIPA

CHECKS TO BUY FOOD, HEALTH USDA FOOD PROGRAM
EDUCATION, BREASTFEEDING
HELP, SERVICES REFERRAL The SPIPA’s program offers an assortment
of food to fill your freezer, refrigerator and
NEXT DATE: 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. cupboards. The next date is Jan. 17 from
Jan. 3 at the Wellness Center 9:45 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Chehalis Tribal
Community Center.
CONTACT US: Debbie Gardipee-
Reyes, 360-462-3227 or Patty SIGN UP: Call Debra
Suskin, 360-462-3224 Shortman at 360-709-1689 or
Chehalis: Debra Shortman, 360-709-1689 360-438-4216 from 8 a.m.-
4 p.m. Monday through Friday