VBMC-Brownsville offers advice, education to those at risk for diabetes

Valley Baptist Medical Center-Brownsville offered advice to people dealing with diabetes, a disease that often begins so mildly that it can go unnoticed for years.

If left untreated and unchecked, diabetes can ravage the body. Complications can lead to a wide array of health problems, including amputations, stroke, heart disease, and ultimately death.

Unfortunately, some people with diabetes may delay or skip routine check-ups and necessary self-care practices. Neglecting regular monitoring and care can lead to serious consequences in overall health and quality of life, said Nancy Martinez, a registered nurse and VBMC-Brownsville diabetes program educator.

Since 2012, the VBMC-Brownsville Diabetes Center has worked to educate a community that researchers have identified as having an increased risk of being diagnosed with diabetes.

“There is a high prevalence of diabetes here in the Rio Grande Valley, and an alarming incidence of pre-diabetes with individuals who don’t even know that they are at risk,” Martinez said. “However, with proper education, we help individuals learn how to self-manage their diabetes and teach them how to modify their lifestyle to include healthier habits to reduce long-term complications of diabetes.”

According to the Texas A&M School of Public Health, the lower Rio Grande Valley has a type 2 diabetes prevalence of 30.7% among adults, compared with 9.3% nationwide. Due to that increased prevalence and the negative impact of uncontrolled diabetes, Martinez said the Valley Baptist-Brownsville Diabetes Center serves a vital role in the health of Valley residents.

As part of the program, which has been certified by the American Diabetes Association since 2014, patients have the opportunity to receive diabetes self-management education for type 1, type 2, and/or gestational diabetes in individual, personalized sessions.

Patients can receive up to four sessions, with one session including one-on-one time with a registered dietitian, Martinez said.

The information is offered in both English and Spanish. From learning simple facts and myths about diabetes to learning how to check blood sugar levels and administer medication, patients receive comprehensive education that they can then use to manage the disease and improve their quality of life, Martinez said.

While education is critical to successfully managing diabetes, lifestyle changes can be made to prevent the onset of the disease in the first place, she said.

Prediabetes is a warning sign that blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not quite high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes.

Approximately 88 million American adults — one in three — have prediabetes. More than 84% of prediabetics don’t even know they have it. It’s a serious health condition with increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

Here are some ways to prevent prediabetes:

>> Eat healthy. Choose foods low in sugar, fat, and calories and high in fiber. Eat fewer refined carbohydrates, such as white bread, white rice and pasta. Instead, focus on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

>> Stay active with five brisk 30-minute walks or two cardio-intensive exercise classes each week.

>> Lose weight. If you are overweight, give yourself a goal of 5% to 7% of your body weight (that’s just 10 to 14 pounds for a 200-pound person). Once you’ve reached your goal, maintain, and enjoy the health benefits.

>> Stop smoking. Prediabetes is just one of the numerous health risks of smoking.

>> Take medications as needed. If you are at high risk, your doctor can recommend medications that can help control cholesterol and high blood pressure.

For more information on the Valley Baptist Medical Center-Brownsville Diabetes Center, call (956) 698-5602.

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