December 23, 2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: DEBORAH ROBERTS PUGH

(662) 377-3712

Visit www.nmhs.net for an electronic version of this article.

NMMC-PONTOTOC CLASS HELPS PEOPLE MANAGE DIABETES

PONTOTOC, Miss.– Whether you're recently diagnosed or have lived with diabetes for years, the Two-Day Comprehensive Diabetes Self-Management Program at North Mississippi Medical Center-Pontotoc can help.

Sponsored by the NMMC Diabetes Treatment Center, the program will be offered Jan. 26-27. Sessions will meet from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. both days in the nursing home conference room, 176 S. Main St. Participants learn such diabetes management skills as meal planning, blood sugar monitoring and foot self-examination.

The program helps people with diabetes gain greater control of their disease and reduce medical complications, which results in lower medical costs. During day one of the program, instructors formulate a personal diabetes management plan for each participant. Discussion includes blood sugar control, acute and chronic complications of diabetes, medication management and psychological aspects associated with the disease. Participants also practice monitoring their own blood sugar levels.

The second day of the program is devoted to nutrition and exercise recommendations. The class teaches people with diabetes ways to eat that will help in controlling blood sugar.

The class is partially covered by Medicare, some private insurance companies and the NMMC Diabetes Assistance Fund. Physician referral is required for this program.

To register for the class or for more information, call Darla Heath, RN, Education Coordinator at NMMC-Pontotoc, at (662) 488-7736 or 1-800-THE DESK (1-800-843-3375).

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