BCDF
Pre-Diabetes, Self-Monitoring Blood Glucose: Preventing and Managing Diabetes Workshop
by BCDF
Sunday, January 29th, 2012
On Thursday 5th January, 2012, the Bovell Cancer Diabetes Foundation hosted the first of its 2012 series of small group workshops at the Belle Garden Community Centre, Belle Garden, Tobago. The workshop entitled “Pre-diabetes, self blood glucose monitoring: Preventing & managing diabetes Workshop” was designed for people diagnosed with diabetes, those with pre-diabetes and those at risk for diabetes. This particular workshop was a necessary follow-up to information received at our recently concluded “Diabetes in the Limelight Jamboree” held 11th November, 2011.
The objective of the workshop was to educate participants about pre-diabetes and self-monitoring blood glucose (SMBG) to support effective, appropriate and responsible action – that is, make appropriate lifestyle and/or treatment changes to prevent and manage diabetes and its complications. The 15 workshop participants were introduced to interactive sessions on pre-diabetes, nutrition and diabetes, self monitoring blood glucose (SMBG) and a ‘hands-on’ session learning how to use blood glucose machines. Enhancers and barriers to diabetes prevention, education and management were also discussed. The workshop will be repeated with other small groups of 10-15 persons. The Bovell Cancer Diabetes Foundation wishes to thank the workshop faculty, especially the nurses (Nurse Davis, Roxborough Health Centre and Nurse Andrews, Belle Garden Health Centre), the participants, the Administrator and staff of the Belle Garden Telecentre.
Quick Facts: Pre-diabetes and self monitoring blood glucose (SMBG)
• Pre-diabetes refers to blood glucose levels that are higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes (i.e. a fasting plasma glucose level of > 100 mg/dL and <126 mg/dL)
• It is important to know if you have pre-diabetes as research has shown that some long-term complications associated with diabetes, such as heart disease and nerve damage, may begin during pre-diabetes.
• If steps are taken to manage one’s blood glucose when one has pre-diabetes, type 2 diabetes can be delayed or prevented
• Blood glucose levels could be lowered with simple lifestyle changes, such as increasing physical activity and enjoying a healthy, low-fat meal plan
• Losing even a modest amount of weight (5 to 10% of total body weight) through healthy eating and regular physical activity can make a huge difference in one’s health and quality of life
• Self-monitoring blood glucose provides people with diabetes mellitus with an accurate method of measuring blood glucose concentrations and therefore detecting both hyperglycaemia and hypoglycaemia
• Blood glucose machines, strips and other associated testing materials are available from the Bovell Cancer Diabetes Foundation at a reduced cost.
For More Information
For more information about any diabetes or cancer-related topic, contact us on our website at www.bovellcancerdiabetesfoundation.org, or call 868) 667-2576. Those interested in registering for future free workshops should call us, contact us on our website or e-mail