Kent & Queen Anne`s Hospital`s diabetes self-management education program, Living with Diabetes, has been awarded a Recognition Certificate from the American Diabetes Association. This means that the program meets standards developed by the National Diabetes Advisory Board and it assures the consumer that he or she will likely receive high-quality service.

Programs that achieve Recognition status have a staff of knowledgeable health professionals who can provide participants with comprehensive information about diabetes management. The four-year-old program is designed to help diabetics learn to control their blood sugar and minimize the potentially severe complications of diabetes. It has something to offer both newly diagnosed diabetics and those who have been living with the disease for years.

Barbara McDanolds, RN, a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE), coordinates and teaches the program. Dietitians Cheyrle Borneman, RD, and Mary Schmitt, RD, both CDEs, teach part of the class along with other health professionals.

"Learning to control the factors that influence blood sugar is crucial to avoiding the serious complications that can be caused by diabetes," Barbara explains. "This program helps patients understand how diet, stress and physical activity can affect their body chemistry and what steps can be taken to control these factors."

An individual can have diabetes for years without having symptoms. The warning signs of diabetes are: excessive thirst, frequent urination, weakness or fatigue, a tingling or numbness in the legs, feet or fingers, slow healing of cuts, changing in vision or blurry vision, itchy skin and/or frequent skin infections. Diabetes is a serious, chronic disease that can be controlled but not cured.

The cost of the six-week program is $175 and includes educational materials, a personal dietary consultation with a registered dietitian and a shopping tour of a local supermarket to learn about product selection. Medicare and some insurance companies may cover the cost of the program with a doctor`s referral so interested participants should check with their physician and insurance provider to confirm coverage. The next session begins February 14. For more information call (410) 778-3300, ext. 2175.