Nutrition & Diabetes Support
Diabetes & Nutrition Education Classes
The Bullitt County Health Department hosts a series of educational sessions titled "Nuts & Bolts of Diabetes," aimed at pre-diabetic or newly diagnosed diabetes. These sessions will provide insider tips for effective diabetes management. We also offer a series of classes titled "Nuts & Bolts of Nutrition." These sessions educate individuals, particularly pre-diabetic or newly diagnosed with diabetes, on how nutrition impacts health. However, the classes are open to all residents of Bullitt County. Email doris.riddle@bullitthealth.org or call 502-955-7837 ext. 2121 with any questions.
Health & Nutrition Classes
The Bullitt County Health Department has sponsored a Support Group for people with diabetes for many years. BCHD is pleased to offer a new support group for people struggling with diabetes and anyone wanting to learn more about nutrition and health.
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Classes are offered the 2nd Tuesday of month, two different times! 10:00AM and 5:00PM
There is no charge to attend. Please call 502-955-5355 for more information.
Flu & Pneumonia Shots For Diabetic Patients
Persons with diabetes or other chronic health problems need a flu shot every year. Flu shots do not give 100% protection but they do make it harder for you to catch the flu for about 6 months. You want to be sure and get your flu shot at least 2-3 weeks before the “flu season” begins so that you will be sufficiently protected.
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It is a good idea for the people you are around regularly to also get their flu shot. People with diabetes are about 3 times more likely to die with flu and pneumonia. A pneumonia shot is also recommended and can protect you from other infections caused by the same bacteria. Pneumonia shots can be given anytime during the year.
Sleep Apnea and Type 2 Diabetes
Recent research shows that as many as 50% of patients with diabetes also have sleep apnea and that 97% of those who are obese and have type 2 diabetes suffer from sleep apnea. Based on those numbers it has become clear that people with diabetes should also be screened for sleep apnea
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What exactly is sleep apnea?
This is a condition in which persons stop breathing for 10 seconds or so during sleep, sometimes hundreds of times a night. Common symptoms include: snoring, constant fatigue, poor concentration, depression, lack of energy, weight gain/loss, and hypertension.
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The good news is that sleep apnea is easily treated with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). During CPAP therapy a bedside device gently delivers pressurized air to the person’s airway through a small nasal mask or pillow system. Studies from the University of Chicago, as well as several other studies have shown marked improvement in glucose control and insulin sensitivity with CPAP therapy in patients with sleep apnea. Treating sleep apnea helps a person stay awake throughout the day, improves glucose control, increases energy, lowers blood pressure, and helps improve cardiac function.
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If you have any of the symptoms of sleep apnea, ask your doctor to be screened and if indicated, referred to a sleep clinic.
** Adapted from an article in the Kentucky Diabetes Connection by Virginia Zamudio Lange, RN, MSN, CDE, 2008.
Diabetes Guide to Changing Habits
Setting Goals Helps You Take Charge of Diabetes: Diabetes can turn your life upside-down. Suddenly, there’s a lot more to do. Taking care of diabetes is a whole new thing to fit in to your daily life. All the changes can be too much. But don’t give up! Change is all about working toward a goal. And to reach your goal, you need a plan.
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Decide what your goals are. What changes do you want to make?
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Review your goals with your healthcare team. Choose one goal to work on first.
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Decide what steps will help you reach your goal.
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Pick one step to try this week. You can get there from here - one step at a time!
Let’s Make a Plan
If you’re ready to plan for change, choose a goal and then answer these questions. Your plan will help you reach your goal, step by step.
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What’s hard for me? What do I want to change? What’s my goal? Example: I want to lose weight.
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Why do I want to make this change? Example: I’m unhappy with the way I look and feel.
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Why haven’t I made this change before? Example: I didn’t take the time to go to an exercise class or a gym.
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How can I work around these problems? Example: I can think of a way to exercise that’s low-cost or free and doesn’t take a lot of time.
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Here’s my plan (what I’ll do and when I’ll do it): Example: I’ll go for a walk 3 mornings a week for half an hour.
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Here’s what I need to get ready: Example: I need walking shoes that fit well.
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What might get in the way of making this change? Example: In bad weather, I won’t want to walk outside. I can walk inside instead.
