HSHS hospitals encourage you to know the signs of diabetes

Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls, Wis.  – An estimated 37 million people are living with diabetes in the United States – the highest it’s ever been, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Most cases are Type 2 diabetes, which means the body doesn’t use insulin properly. Type 2 is largely preventable through regular physical activity and a healthy and balanced diet says Jamie Wright, manager of specialty services at HSHS Sacred Heart and St. Joseph’s hospitals.

“Symptoms of Type 2 diabetes often develop slowly and can be subtle,” says Wright. “That's why it's important to know the signs so you can watch for even small changes in how you feel and look.”

Talk with your doctor if any of these symptoms persist:

• Frequent urination
• Feeling thirsty
• Feeling hungry, even when eating
• Extreme fatigue
• Blurry vision
• Cuts and bruises that are slow to heal
• Weight loss
• Tingling, pain or numbness in hands and feet

Diabetes can cause high blood pressure, high cholesterol, kidney disease, vision impairment and other health-related complications, such as heart attack and stroke.

A1C is a type of test that can identify prediabetes, which means blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetic. The CDC says 96 million Americans – more than one in three – are prediabetic. If it’s determined you have prediabetes, it does not mean you’ll develop Type 2, especially if you make changes in your lifestyle regarding exercise and nutrition.

“Even small changes like taking the stairs, walking around the block regularly or eating less sugar can help delay or prevent the disease,” says Wright. “You should work with a health care provider to develop a plan that works for you and will help avoid a lifetime of medications or insulin monitoring.”

A physician can evaluate your risk level and complete bloodwork to diagnose diabetes. A consultation with a clinical dietitian or diabetes educator may help identify ways to reduce your risk factors. You can also take a one-minute Diabetes Risk Test through the American Diabetes Association at: www.diabetes.org/risk-test

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About HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital
HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital is sponsored by Hospital Sisters Ministries, the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis is the Founding Institute, and it is an affiliate of Hospital Sisters Health System. Since 1889, it has been meeting patient needs in western Wisconsin with the latest medical innovations and technology, together with a Franciscan whole-person healing tradition.

About HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital
HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital is sponsored by Hospital Sisters Ministries, the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis is the Founding Institute, and it is an affiliate of Hospital Sisters Health System. Since 1885, it has served the people of the Chippewa Falls area with health care that is high tech and high touch. Known locally for the quality of the care it provides patients, the hospital has been recognized nationally for its outstanding patient satisfaction levels. 

About Hospital Sisters Health System
Hospital Sisters Health System’s (HSHS) mission is to reveal and embody Christ’s healing love for all people through our high quality, Franciscan health care ministry. HSHS provides state-of-the-art health care to our patients and is dedicated to serving all people, especially the most vulnerable, at each of our physician practices and 15 local hospitals in two states - Illinois (Breese, Decatur, Effingham, Greenville, Highland, Litchfield, O’Fallon, Shelbyville and Springfield) and Wisconsin (Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire, Oconto Falls, Sheboygan, and two in Green Bay). HSHS is sponsored by Hospital Sisters Ministries,  and Hospital Sisters of St. Francis is the founding institute. For more information about HSHS, visit www.hshs.org. For more information about Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, visit www.hospitalsisters.org.