The Reppell Diabetes Learning Center of Baxter Regional Medical Center is hosting Managing Diabetes: The Next Step" on Tuesday, October 22, 2013 in the Lagerborg Dining Room at 5:00 p.m. Curtis Story, a specially trained member of the A1C Champions® Program, will be delivering a free, one-hour educational program to share his personal experiences with diabetes and taking insulin to help control his blood sugar.

The A1C Championsandreg; Program is supported by Sanofi US, which provides a patient-led approach to diabetes education. Curtis has diabetes and takes insulin as part of his overall diabetes treatment plan that includes diet, exercise and other diabetes medications. A1C Champions® know first-hand the challenges to managing diabetes and understand the fear and uncertainty about taking insulin. They share information about diabetes self-management and insulin based on formal training and their personal experiences.

During the program, Curtis will share:

• Why insulin is not a sign of failure but may help you achieve blood sugar control, as part of an overall diabetes treatment plan.
• The concerns he had about starting insulin
• Misperceptions about insulin

Are you aware of your A1C level (the ADA recommends an A1C goal of less than 7% for most people with diabetes)? Have you talked with your healthcare provider about an A1C goal that is right for you? Has your healthcare provider suggested insulin and youandrsquo;re saying “No way!”? Have you just started insulin and have questions? This session may be for you! Curtis is a person with diabetes who understands the challenges to controlling blood sugar and starting insulin. Join us find out why you might want to talk to your doctor about whether insulin is right for you.

Diabetes is a chronic, widespread condition characterized by high blood sugar in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, the hormone needed to transport glucose (sugar) from the blood into the cells of the body for energy. It is estimated that that nearly 26 million Americans have diabetes, including an estimated 7 million who remain undiagnosed. At the same time, about 40 percent of those diagnosed with diabetes did not achieve the blood sugar control target of A1C.

Important Safety Information for Insulin
The most common side effect of insulin is low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which may be serious. Other possible side effects may include injection site reactions, including changes in fat tissue at the injection site, and allergic reactions, including itching and rash. Tell your doctor about other medicines and supplements you are taking because they can change the way insulin works. Glucose monitoring is recommended for all patients with diabetes.

For more information, contact Reppell Diabetes Learning Center Coordinator Jodi Owens at 870-508-1765 or jowens@baxterregional.org.

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