Diabetes Fair scheduled at Exchange Published Nov. 8, 2013 By Juanita Smith 60th Medical Group TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- David Grant USAF Medical Center will host a Diabetes Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Exchange pharmacy as part of Diabetes Education Month to showcase how diabetes education is always readily available to our beneficiaries. The big deal about diabetes is that more than 25 million people are affected with this disease in the United States alone. Worldwide the numbers are even more significant. Ninety to Ninety-five percent of diabetics are type 2. We have more children under the age of 18 with type 2 diabetes than ever before in history. What's the big deal? Diabetes is a disease that affects every organ in the body. Many people walk around with this disease and are not even aware. The lack of knowledge about diabetes unnecessarily leads to complications for many. The disease, if left untreated, will have serious consequences that adversely impact a person's quality of life. Treatment for diabetes started in the 17th century. Diabetics have gone from the starvation diets dating back to the early 20th century to a more realistic outlook of balancing the food intake. The modern approach relies on a more realistic diet of finding balance with the foods one eats, particularly the carbohydrates. It is no longer necessary for a person with diabetes to totally avoid foods with sugar. Research from credible sources, such as the American Diabetes Association and National Institute of Health, has proven that people with diabetes can eat anything they want. This can include some of their favorite desserts, as long as they adhere to a few well researched guidelines. Finding their balance with the help of available, credible resources can be an invaluable step toward a healthy future. It is the intent of the staff at DGMC that diabetes education is always readily available to our beneficiaries. Whether it is education about diabetes prevention or control after the diagnosis is made, we are here to provide support. "There are many lifestyle choices that have a tremendous impact on how diabetes will affect one's life," said Col. (Dr.) Matthew Wonnacott, 60th Medical Group chief of medical staff at DGMC. "Visiting your Primary Care Manager regularly is very important, especially to arm yourself with credible information, but the most good you can do lies in your day-to-day activities." According to Wonnacott, the goal of Diabetes Education at DGMC to provide information and education to individuals so they can develop an effective plan to manage diabetes or to delay or prevent its onset. It is important that an individual with diabetes always know the ABCs of diabetes. The hemoglobin A1c level, the blood pressure and the cholesterol levels are important in that these values help to determine how well one is handling their diabetic status. When an individual is aware of their ABCs, they can successfully adjust various parts of their diabetic plan or know what is working. Assisting our patients at DGMC is a collaborative effort of various departments at the facility. The collaboration starts in one's primary clinic. After a person receives a diagnosis, they will be trained how to use their glucometer by one of the clinic nurses or a disease manager. Diabetes is referred to as a self-managed disease. Knowing how to use a glucometer allows a person to track their blood sugar values at home. They can know whether they are dealing with a high blood sugar or a low blood sugar. Part of their training will include basic information about diabetes. The person is then referred to diabetes education, nutrition clinic, ophthalmology and perhaps the laboratory. This is only the beginning of what should become a routine point of care for anyone with diabetes. As a person starts their journey with diabetes or the prevention of type 2 diabetes, maintaining pertinent up to date information is a must. Research on treatment options continues, so it is important for people with diabetes to get refresher training periodically. A person can sometimes control diabetes with diet and exercise only, oral medications, exenatides or insulin. Whatever form the treatment takes, being responsible for your own health and your lifestyle choices will determine how your journey goes. What's the big deal? You can control your diabetes by realizing knowledge is power. For more information, call diabetes education at 816-5505.