Diabetes Education Services is located on the JCH Medical Campus in the McDow Building in Jerseyville.

If you or a family member is living with diabetes, we recommend attending the Diabetes Support Group.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes occurs when the body does not make enough insulin or the insulin cannot work correctly.

The main types of diabetes are:

• Type 1 - occurs when the pancreas (an organ in the body) stops making insulin.
• Type 2 - occurs when the pancreas makes the insulin, but the body has difficulty using the insulin to move the sugar from the blood into the body tissue.

Who gets diabetes?

Anyone can get diabetes. If you have one or more of the following, you are at increased risk:

• Over 40 years of age
• Overweight
• Family history of diabetes
• Had a baby weighing over 9 lbs.
• Diabetes during pregnancy
• High blood pressure
• Stress of an illness/injury
• African American, Hispanic American or Native American

What are the signs of diabetes?

Some people have diabetes and have no signs that they are aware of. That is why it is important to be tested for diabetes if you are over 40 years of age. Most common signs are:

• Increased thirst
• Increased urination
• Increased hunger
• Feeling very tired
• Unexplained weight loss
• Frequent Infections
• Blurred vision
• Dry/itchy skin
• Numbness, tingling or persistent pain in hands or feet

Can diabetes harm you?

Diabetes is a very serious, lifelong disease. Diabetes causes your blood sugar level to be too high. Over time, high blood sugar levels can harm your nerves, eyes, kidneys, heart and blood vessels. It can cause loss of vision, gum disease, kidney failure, heart attacks, strokes, loss of toes or feet, and sexual dysfunction.

Is there anything that can be done?

There is a lot you can do to stay healthy. Research shows that if you keep your blood sugar under good control, you may prevent or delay these serious health problems.

Jersey Community Hospital is aware of the importance of helping people with diabetes stay healthy. This is why we have introduced Diabetes Education Services.

What can this service do?

The most important thing this service does is to help people with diabetes get their blood sugars in good control.

How?

A registered nurse who is also a Certified Diabetic Educator will work with you and your physician to establish a diabetes plan that suits your lifestyle.

How do I start?

Ask your physician about the program or call Jersey Community Hospital at (618) 498-6402.

What about the cost?

This service is covered by most insurance companies.

JCH Diabetes Service covers the following areas:

• General facts about diabetes
• Stress and diabetes
• Diabetes nutrition therapy
• Exercise plan
• Medication administration therapy
• Balancing meals, exercise and medication
• Blood sugar self-monitoring
• Recognition of high and low blood sugar, causes, prevention and treatment
• Handling sick days
• Hygiene (mouth, skin, feet)
• Sexual dysfunction
• Community resources, support groups and diabetes organizations
• Family involvement