Good Shepherd offering next diabetes screening Saturday

Submitted by Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital

Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital has been addressing the diabetes epidemic over the years through community screenings, education and awareness but has taken it to the next level by offering regular community based screenings. The next clinic will be held from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 25, in the Prairie/Lakeview/Meadow rooms at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital, 450 W. Route 22, Barrington. The cost is $10 and will include a finger stick blood glucose level (12-hour fast is required) and an A1C level. Also, all participants will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with Dr. Daniel So, endocrinologist, and diabetes educators on the Good Shepherd staff.

Diabetes is a condition that requires close monitoring and management and has many related health problems such as heart disease, kidney disease, blindness and nerve damage.

During the clinics, participants are evaluated on their diabetes risk and counseled by either a nurse or physician with instructions on follow up and offered tools to manage diabetes if necessary. These community clinics will be conducted on a regular basis throughout the Good Shepherd Hospital service area so people can monitor their progress.

The statistics are alarming. According to the American Diabetes Association and the National Centers for Disease Control, diabetes affects nearly 26 million people in the United States. This accounts for greater than 8 percent of the U.S. population. It is estimated that seven million Americans are currently undiagnosed and yet another 79 million Americans ages 20 and older have pre-diabetes.

To register, call (800) 323-8622 and mention the class code 3D04 or visit advocatehealth.com/gshp and click on “I need a class or support group” and type in the class code in the keyword box.