Female Focus
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www.female-focus.com
HELP Diabetes Support Meetings
La Xara Fri 10th June in the HELP Activity Centre, Avenida Oeste 29 bajo, 03709 La Xara (next door to the Tabac) Guest Speaker – Mrs Leigh Patterson - the Foot Angel. Topic: Complications of Diabetes explained by Leigh and Dorothy. Teulada Tues 14th June in the MABS room of the IMED building, Cami Calvari, Teulada. Guest Speaker - Ms Ann Mather, Nutritionist presenting “The Nutritional Approach: Diabetes, Blood Pressure and Cholesterol” Both meetings are 4.30pm – 6.30pm. A two hour program allows time for the guest speaker, and time for Dorothy to answer questions on any topic related to Diabetes.
In 2014, HELP invited Dorothy, a semi- retired UK Community Diabetes Nurse Specialist, to set up a Diabetes Support Network
for the English speaking
population in Marina Alta. The network has grown to two venues, Teulada and La Xara, and Dorothy, as a volunteer, is now also meeting with individuals to help and encourage them on their diabetes journey. In 2015 Ann Mather, an expert on nutrition, highlighted the debate within Diabetes (see
www.diabetes.org.uk) on the amount of carbohydrates (carbs) that should be recommended. Presently the UK recommends 55% of daily nutritional intake to be in the form of carbs, while elsewhere in Europe 40% is being recommended which concurs with Nutritional Science as expounded by Ann. The following is an account of
a gentleman who reduced his carbohydrate intake.
I have been diagnosed through the Spanish medical system, with type 2 diabetes for about seven years. I think I am on an unusual drugs regime, using a mixture of tablets and insulin. I came to one of these Help sessions, where a lady gave a talk about nutrition and that the body turns carbohydrates into sugars. Now sugars, as she pointed out, are the last thing a diabetic really needs, especially uncontrolled amounts of sugars. So I decided to see what a low carbohydrate diet would do for me and stopped eating mainly cereals, bread, rice and potatoes. The effects were dramatic, my morning blood glucose levels, always a bit of a problem,
dropped from 144 (8) to 112 (6.2) while at the same time I reduced all my insulin injections from around 18 units to 10 units. My daytime glucose levels, two hours after eating, are around 100 (5.5 in UK units). As a bonus, my weight dropped by 7 kilos and my waist reduced by 5 cms. What do I eat? Well breakfast is easy. A fry up of eggs and mushrooms is a favourite, as is a cheese omelette. Bacon and eggs are also OK. Instead of rice and pasta I have spiralled courgettes. I also grate cauliflower to make a rice substitute. Eating out in Spain is easy, a nice steak and a pepper, a la plancha, leaving the chips can be a challenge. I am not fanatical about it and if I have an Indian meal I will have a little rice and Nan but in moderation. All sides of the debate agree that everyone needs some carbohydrate and people with diabetes need to understand what foods contain carbohydrate, how to estimate carbohydrate portions and how to monitor their effect on blood glucose levels - and education is pivotal to achieving this balance. Education and information provided through the sessions empower people living with diabetes. Dorothy is giving her time and experience as a professional volunteer, thus anyone deciding to change the management
of their diabetes is
advised to consult with their Health Care Provider. At the June La Xara meeting complications related to diabetes will be discussed by Dorothy and the guest speaker, the well established highly experienced UK trained Podiatrist
Leigh Patterson, often referred to as the Foot Angel. Leigh will be addressing Foot Care and the consequences of neglected foot care. According to new annual analysis by Diabetes UK, people with suffered
diabetes 200,000 complications devastating such as amputation,
heart attack and stroke. Diabetes is the biggest cause of preventable blindness among working age people in the UK. Foot complications can largely be prevented by an annual foot check and appropriate referral when problems are picked up early. Dorothy would be willing to donate her services as a foot screener to any local medical establishment willing to set up a foot screening service. The complications of diabetes are serious and it can be scary to think about, but take comfort in the fact that the risk of complications can be reduced by managing diabetes appropriately. Diabetes self-management support is essential for all people with diabetes, and helpful
supporting those living with Diabetes, so all are welcome to meetings and find out more.
our
Remember the following dates for meeting in 2016 are as follows: Sept 2016 – Teulada Tues 13th and La Xara Fri 16th. Dec 2016 - Teulada Tues 6th and La Xara Fri 9th.
For more information please contact: Dorothy Cook, Lead Professional Volunteer on 634 349 240 or email:
diabetes.helpofdenia@gmail.com.
for others who are attend
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