Diabetes Program

What is diabetes?
Diabetes means that your blood glucose (sugar) is too high. Your blood always has some glucose in it because the body needs glucose for energy to keep you going. Too much glucose in the blood is not good for your health.

Could you have diabetes?
Diabetes is a silent disease. You could have it for years and never know it. During this time, your eyes, nerves, and kidneys may have been harmed by too much sugar in your blood.

Who is at risk for diabetes?
Your risk for diabetes increases as your get older, gain too much weight, or if you do not stay active. Diabetes is more common in African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Risk factors for diabetes include:

  • Having high blood pressure (at or above 130/80)
  • Having a family history of diabetes
  • Having diabetes during pregnancy or having a baby weighing more than nine pounds at birth.

    • Don't wait for the signs. Most people with diabetes do not notice any symptoms. However if you should have any of these symptoms, call your health care provider right away.

    Symptoms of Diabetes

    • Very thirsty
    • Frequent urination
    • Losing weight without trying


    What can you do? You can do things now to lower your risk for diabetes by:

    • keeping your weight in control;
    • eating low fat meals that are HIGH in fruits, vegetables and whole grain foods;
    • staying active most days of the week

      • .

    Learn more. Get involved.
    If you or the people you care about are at high risk for diabetes, you should learn more and get involved.

    • Ask your health care provider about your risk for diabetes during your next visit.
    • Call 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) for free information about diabetes, and to find out about Alert activities in your area. Bilingual representatives are available.
    • Learn more about diabetes by visiting the www.diabetes.org
    • Take the diabetes risk test to see if you are at risk for diabetes. Share this information with family, friends and neighbors. Help find the 6.2 million Americans with undiagnosed diabetes.



    LiveWell with Diabetes Program
    The East Shore District Health Department offers a LiveWell with Diabetes Program. It is a six week program for people diagnosed with diabetes or pre-diabetes or care-givers of diabetics. It instructs on nutrition, physical activity, communicating with health-care providers, actions on a sick day and more.
    Our Public Health Nurse can test your blood sugar. Call for an appointment today.
    Call 203-481-4233 for more information

Reference File: 
PDF icon Our latest Diabetes class information