Sept. 1, 2009
CONTACT:
Erin Lounsberry, 779-2981, lounsberrye@trinityqc.com
Pam Samuelson, 779-2809, samuelpa@trinityqc.com
Free Trinity diabetes screening helps those struggling with lack of insurance, negative economy
Trinity and its Community Health Partners will offer a free diabetes screening from 7-9 a.m., Monday through Friday, Sept. 14-18 and 21-25, at both the Trinity at Terrace Park, 4500 Utica Ridge Road, Bettendorf, and also at Trinity Visiting Nurse and Homecare Association, 106 19th Ave., Suite 101, Moline.
The screening is presented by Trinity Regional Health System and Community Health Partners The Dispatch, Rock Island Argus, Quad-City Radio Group, KWQC-TV6 and Rock Island Fitness and Activity Center.
According to the American Diabetes Association, there are 23.6 million people in the United States, or 8 percent of the population, who have diabetes. The total prevalence of diabetes increased 13.5 percent from 2005-2007. Only 24 percent of diabetes is undiagnosed, down from 30 percent in 2005 and from 50 percent ten years ago.
The screening will consist of a questionnaire and fasting blood sugar test, according to Penny Knox, RN, who oversees Trinity’s clinics. The test is a standard finger-prick blood sugar test. To receive an accurate reading, those who participate should not eat or drink anything except water for eight hours prior to testing.
“Type II diabetes is a gradual disease. It develops over time and the symptoms develop slowly, so a person may not realize what is happening,” Knox said. “In a tough economy, people may not seek the treatment they need to catch it early when even modest lifestyle changes can help combat its effects. This screening is a low-cost way for people to know what kind of risk they have.”
The screening is open to everyone, but those who are strongly encouraged to participate include:
- People who are overweight
- Adults 45 years of age or older
- People with elevated blood pressure
- People who are physically inactive
- People with a family history of diabetes
- People who are Hispanic, African-American, Native-American or Asian American
According to Knox, the most common symptoms of diabetes include feeling tired or ill, having to urinate frequently – particularly at night, unusual thirst, weight loss, blurred vision, frequent infections, slowly healing wounds, and/or tingling or numbness in the hands or feet.
“While there isn’t a cure for diabetes, this disease can be effectively managed. If a person is diagnosed early, receives correct treatment, watches what he or she eats and exercises regularly, the diabetes can be controlled and managed,” Knox said. “However, it is always a good idea to be tested once a year, even if a person has no risk factors.”
For more information on the screening, please call Trinity’s My Nurse at (309) 779-2000 or toll-free at (877) 242-8899.