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Rio Grande Regional Hospital: Diabetes
Rio Grande Regional Hospital
PROVIDES DIABETES EDUCATION AND SUPPORT
An estimated 76,000 people in the Rio Grande Valley have diabetes, and as many as 3 in 5 of those people will need some form of hospital or emergency services. Providing diabetes education and resources to the communities they serve is a way Rio Grande Regional Hospital keeps its commitment to delivering highquality care you can trust.
Diabetes is a build-up of sugar – glucose – in the blood that happens when the body doesn’t convert the food you eat into energy as it should. Usually, our bodies make a hormone called insulin in the pancreas to help break down food into energy. Sometimes the pancreas stops producing insulin, or the body stops being able to use insulin effectively. That’s when sugar builds up in the blood, causing high blood sugar, which can lead to a variety of symptoms. The first signs of high blood sugar can include: •Frequent urination •Being very thirsty and/or hungry •Weight loss •Blurred vision •Feeling very tired •Wounds that don’t heal •More infections than usual •Numbness or tingling in hands or feet Over a long time, high blood sugar can lead to a wide range of serious complications, such as heart disease, stroke, amputation, and loss of eyesight. If diabetes is detected and treated early with medication, diet, and exercise, the risk of complications decreases, and the chances of living a long and healthy life increase.
The Rio Grande Regional Hospital Diabetes Management Clinic is designed to help you take control of your diabetes. The specially trained educators work with patients and their families to personalize and customize each plan that provides information and tools needed to manage diabetes and live healthier, more active lives.
If you or someone you love has diabetes or is at risk for the disease, you are encouraged to call (956) 632-6523 for more information.
Living well with diabetes
Rio Grande Regional Hospital Diabetes Management Center is here to help you manage and control your diabetes. The Diabetes Management Center can help you:
• • • • • • • Identify a plan to help you reach your goals Plan individualized meals and manage carbohydrate balance Manage your blood glucose levels and learn to use a glucometer correctly Understand your medications including insulin preparation and administration Understand the impact of diet, exercise and medications on blood sugar levels Manage gestational diabetes or pregnancy with existing diabetes Avoid diabetes complications to stay healthy
Receive the following at your appointments:
• • • One-on-one counseling with a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist Blood Glucose Screenings Hemoglobin A1C Test
Group classes are available. Diabetes Management Center hours of operation:
Monday - Friday • 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Free follow-up visits
Call 956.632.6523 to schedule your appointment.
222 E Ridge Rd, Ste 211, McAllen, TX 78503 | 956.632.6523
