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Understanding and Managing Diabetes

By
Claudia Courcelle, RN, BSN, MSA, CCM, Director of Care Management

and Michele RedmondRNC

What is Diabetes?

  • Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, which means that the body mistakenly attacks itself. The result is that the pancreas can no longer make its own insulin.
  • Type 2 diabetes is the most prevalent form of diabetes and involves the pancreas not being able to make enough insulin and/or the body is unable to use its insulin properly.
  • Gestational diabetes occurs in 5-9% of pregnancies. Blood sugar usually goes back to normal after the birth of the baby, but women who have had gestational diabetes are at a higher risk for developing pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes in the future.

Due to their higher risk of developing pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes, women with a history of gestational diabetes are encouraged to come in for routine screenings and community resource is “My Healthy Vermont” diabetes prevention classes.

Learn About Diabetes

The Vermont Department of Health indicates that 10% of the residents of Rutland County and 7% in Addison County have been diagnosed with diabetes. Gestational diabetes occurred in 7% of the births in Addison County and 9% of the births in Rutland County which is higher than the state average.
 
Diabetes is one of the four illnesses identified in the state of Vermont’s 3-4-50 initiative that spotlights the impact of chronic disease in the state. “Three behaviors (no physical activity, poor diet, tobacco use) lead to 4 diseases (cancer, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, lung disease) and result in 50% of deaths in Vermont.”

Here are some things to do to become more aware of diabetes in your family and community:

  • Fuel your diabetes knowledge. Talk to your primary care provider about diabetes and find out if you are at risk.
  • If you are diagnosed with diabetes, inquire about Community Health’s diabetes education program.
  • Take the risk test https://diabetes.org/diabetes-risk-test.
  • Attend and bring a friend or family member to Community Health’s diabetes support group monthly meetings.

The support groups meet on the second Wednesday of every month as a place to talk about diabetes, ask questions of diabetes educators, and share ideas, thoughts, and support to anyone who is impacted by diabetes.
 
Community Health and Rutland Regional Medical Center’s Diabetes & Endocrinology Center have joined together to offer Diabetes Support Groups:

  • 1-2 PM at the Rutland Diabetes & Endocrinology Center
  • 5-6 PM at Community Heath Castleton

Community Health’s Diabetes Education Program

Community Health’s diabetes program is accredited by the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (ADCES) which means that the program has been recognized for its quality and meets the standards for diabetes education and care.  Community Health has educators on staff in Brandon, Castleton, Mettowee, Rutland, and Shorewell who have received specialized training in diabetes education and can offer their expertise in helping patients improve their diabetes management.

Claudia Courcelle, RN, BSN, MSA, CCM, Director of Care Management, and Michele Redmond, RN, BSN, CDCES, Diabetes Program Quality Coordinator

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