Diabetes and Nutrition Wellness

Why Choose Penn Highlands Healthcare for Nutrition Counseling

Our nutrition specialists will teach you how to read food labels, understand carbohydrates and map out meal plans, plus provide you with recipes that are easy, healthy and tasty. We are happy to answer your questions and guide you on your journey to good health.

Diabetes Prevention Programs at Penn Highlands

Free Prevent T2 Program

If you have prediabetes or other risk factors for type 2 diabetes, now is the time to take charge of your health and make a change. The PreventT2 lifestyle change program can help!

PreventT2 is part of the National Diabetes Prevention Program, led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It features an approach that is proven to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.

By improving food choices and increasing physical activity, you can lose 5 to 7 percent of your body weight — that is 10 to 14 pounds for a person weighing 200 pounds. If you have prediabetes, these lifestyle changes can cut your risk of developing type 2 diabetes in half.

The Diabetes and Nutrition Wellness Center at Penn Highlands Healthcare

Penn Highlands Healthcare Diabetes Care and Education Specialists provide education and support for people in our community who live with or are at high risk for diabetes. Diabetes has reached epidemic proportions in the United States. It is a complicated metabolic disease that results in too much sugar in the blood. When not properly treated, diabetes can lead to a number of serious health problems and may shorten a person’s lifespan. With the support of a diabetes care and education specialist, people can learn to make healthy choices in everyday life to keep diabetes in check.

Diabetes education and support is provided on an individual basis at all Penn Highlands locations. The purpose of the program is to help those with diabetes learn to manage the condition through healthy lifestyle choices. Education and guidance is tailored to the needs of each individual. Keeping diabetes under control can prevent or delay the complications associated with diabetes.

The Diabetes and Nutrition Wellness Centers at both Penn Highlands DuBois and Penn Highlands Elk are accredited by the American Diabetes Association.

Who should attend?

Those who are newly diagnosed or living with diabetes can benefit from the individual outpatient counseling sessions. A family member or support person is welcome to attend with you. This will help your family be better prepared to support you and help you manage your diabetes. Diabetes education is intended for people with:

• Prediabetes
• Type 1 Diabetes
• Type 2 Diabetes
• Gestational Diabetes

Who conducts the outpatient counseling session?

The individual outpatient counseling sessions are conducted by either a registered dietitian/nutritionist or a registered nurse who possess comprehensive knowledge of and experience in prediabetes, diabetes prevention and diabetes management.

When and where are individual outpatient counseling sessions held?

Individual outpatient counseling sessions are held at each of our Penn Highlands Healthcare Facilities. One on one sessions are scheduled on an individual basis.

What will I learn?

Topics addressed in the individual outpatient counseling sessions include the following:

• Diabetes causes
• Diabetes disease process
• Meal planning
• Physical activity
• Blood glucose monitoring
• Use of continuous glucose monitors
• Medication management
• Insulin management
• Use of insulin pumps
• Acute and chronic complications
• Psychosocial issues

Does insurance pay for diabetes education?

Most insurance companies pay for diabetes education programs if ordered by a physician. Patients are advised to check with their insurance plan regarding coverage.

How do I enroll in the program?

A physician referral is required.

Who can I contact with questions or for more information?

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact The Diabetes and Nutrition Wellness Center at 814-375-3890.

Facts About Diabetes

• Diabetes is growing at an epidemic rate in the United States and here in Pennsylvania.
• Diabetes is associated with devastating health consequences including heart disease, stroke, amputation, end-stage kidney disease, blindness and death.
• Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in the U.S.
• 29 million Americans have diabetes and 1 in 4 don’t know it.
• Nearly 10% of adults in Pennsylvania have diabetes.
• Every year an estimated 71,000 people in Pennsylvania are diagnosed with diabetes.
• More than one quarter of people age 65+ have diabetes.
• More than 1 in 3 adults have prediabetes with blood glucose levels higher than normal, putting them at great risk of developing diabetes.
• Nearly 36% of the adults in Pennsylvania have prediabetes.
• People with diabetes have medical expenses approximately 2.3 times higher than those who do not have diabetes.
  
  Sources: Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Pennsylvania Department of Health, American Diabetes Association

What Are Diabetes Symptoms

Below are typical symptoms of diabetes. Sometimes symptoms are so mild they go unnoticed.

• Frequent urination
• Excessive thirst
• Unexplained weight loss
• Extreme hunger
• Sudden vision changes
• Very dry skin
• Tingling or numbness in hands and feet
• Feeling tired much of the time
• Sores that are slow to heal
• More infections than usual
• Nausea, vomiting or stomach pain may accompany symptoms with abrupt onset of Type 1 diabetes

Talk to your doctor about your risk for diabetes. If you experience any of the symptoms associated with diabetes, see your doctor for testing and evaluation.