Diabetes Support Group at Martin's Point Helps People Manage the Challenges of Living with Diabetes

Free and open to public, support group meets second Monday of every month at Martin's Point

Diabetes continues to take a huge toll on the health and well being of Americans. A major factor in new cases of blindness, kidney failure and amputations of the foot or leg, diabetes also greatly increases the risk for heart attack or stroke.

But there is good news. Persons with the chronic disease can stay healthy by controlling blood sugar levels and blood pressure; choosing a nutrition plan that focuses on a balance of carbohydrates, protein and heart-healthy fats and foods higher in fiber; exercising regularly and keeping weight in control, said Alicia P. Greenwald, FNP-C, BC-ADM, CDE, a nurse practitioner and diabetes educator at Martin's Point Health Care.

Martin's Point is helping people cope with and manage diabetes with a monthly Diabetes Support Group that meets on the second Monday of each month from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Free and open to the public, the meetings are held at the Health Education Center in the Carriage House on the Portland campus of Martin's Point. Registration is not required. For more information, call 828-2497.

Upcoming meetings will take place February 9 and March 8. The aim of the support group is to provide an opportunity for people facing the same challenge of living with diabetes to get together to discuss concerns and issues and offer mutual support, Greenwald said.

"Living with diabetes can be a balancing act; blood glucose monitoring, taking medications, using a healthy nutrition plan, exercising regularly, keeping regular visits with healthcare providers," Greenwald said. "Trying to keep up with these tasks, in addition to meeting all of life's other demands, can be overwhelming for some."

The meetings, facilitated by a diabetes nurse educator, are set up as an open discussion format and may include presentations and/or organized activities. "For many people, meeting with others who face similar issues and challenges can be a positive experience," Greenwald said. "The Diabetes Support Group allows people an opportunity to learn from their peers by sharing their concerns, successes, coping strategies, recipes, tips and much more."

Diabetes remains a significant health problem throughout Maine and nationwide. More than 17 million Americans - including at least 73,000 Mainers - have diabetes, the fifth-leading cause of death by disease in the U.S, according to the American Diabetes Association.

Diabetes, a chronic disease with no cure, results in blood-sugar levels that are too high, which over time can harm nerves, eyes, kidneys, and heart and blood vessels. The cause remains a mystery, though both genetics and other factors - including obesity, a sedentary lifestyle and a diet high in calories - are major contributors. Over time, high blood sugar levels can harm nerves, eyes, kidneys, and heart and blood vessels.

Symptoms of diabetes include extreme thirst, blurry vision from time to time, frequent urination, unusual tiredness or drowsiness, and unexplained weight loss. Anyone with those symptoms should contact a doctor. Studies show that one in seven people diagnosed with diabetes can achieve control of the disease with lifestyle changes alone.

Martin's Point, a not-for-profit health care provider with facilities in Portland, Brunswick and Windham, Maine, and in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, serves patients in the areas of family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, surgery, radiology, cardiology, and mammography, as well as other fields.

The Martin's Point Health Education Center has a variety of related resource materials that includes publications and videos. The center also offers information and classes that focus on a host of other topics, ranging from weight loss and smoking cessation to disease management. For additional information, visit online at www.martinspoint.org

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