Register today for upcoming diabetes self-management classes

During short-term illnesses, many people interrupt their normal habits to help fight their symptoms. For example, they may eat chicken noodle soup and drink a lot of water to speed up their recoveries. When someone is facing a chronic illness like diabetes, however, there may be long-term changes that people need to make to their daily habits to ensure they stay as healthy as possible.

The Florida Department of Health in Marion County is holding a series of free Diabetes Self-Management classes starting Oct. 2 so residents can learn more about diabetes and the changes they may need to make to their daily habits if they have it. The six-week class will cover: understanding diabetes, risk factors, eyes, teeth, toes and feet, physical activity, meal planning, preventing complications, and medications and medical care. Class locations, dates and times are:

Belleview Public Library (13145 SE County Highway 484, Belleview)

Each Tuesday from 10 a.m. to noon from Oct. 2 to Nov. 6.

Florida Department of Health in Marion County (1801 SE 32nd Ave., Ocala)

Each Thursday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. from Oct. 4 to Nov.8.

Benevolent Church of God (15490 N. U.S. Highway 441, Reddick)

Each Saturday from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. from Oct. 20 to Nov. 24, 2018.

Anyone can attend the classes. Interested residents are encouraged to pre-register. To register or find out more information, contact Demi Danso-Odei at 352-644-2618 or Demi.Danso@FLHealth.gov.

In Florida, it is estimated that more than 2.4 million people have diabetes and more than 5.8 million have prediabetes. Diabetes is the fifth leading cause of death for all races and third leading cause of death for black residents in Marion County according to state data. Nationwide, it is the seventh leading cause of death for both men and women (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). The number of people diagnosed with diabetes has more than tripled in the last 20 years in the U.S. The three most common types of diabetes are Type 1, Type 2 and gestational diabetes (diabetes while pregnant). Prediabetes can lead to Type 2 diabetes.

A blood test from your health care provider can determine if you have diabetes or prediabetes. Early treatment can prevent serious problems diabetes can cause, such as loss of eyesight, kidney damage, stroke, nerve damage and foot problems. An estimated 8.1 million Americans have diabetes but don’t know it. Find out your risk for developing diabetes at https://doihaveprediabetes.org/.

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