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blood glucose meter
Blood glucose meter

UTSA Health Services hosts diabetes health fairs

(Nov. 1, 2004)--UTSA Health Services will host two diabetes health information fairs Wednesday, Nov. 3 at the 1604 Campus and Thursaday, Nov. 4 at the Downtown Campus. The information fairs are free and open to the UTSA community.

The goal is to increase diabetes health awareness with vision screenings, health information, blood glucose testing (fasting), counseling information, chair massages, foot evaluation, blood pressure readings, ear wax screenings and body composition evaluations.

The diabetes health fair at the 1604 Campus is 9-11 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 3 on the second floor of the University Center. Mandy Tyler, UTSA faculty member and sports nutrition specialist will speak on "Healthy Eating and Weight Management" at 11 a.m. in the University Center Willow Room (2.01.12). A cooking demonstration, "Health Holiday Diabetic Snacks," is at 1 p.m. in the Recreation Center, upstairs in the demo kitchen. Please RSVP for the kitchen presentation at (210) 458-6360.

The diabetes fair at the Downtown Campus is 10 a.m.-noon, Thursday, Nov. 4 in the Frio Street Building Commons.

For more information, contact Kathy Ceresoli, health education coordinator at (210) 458-4142.

Participating fair vendors are American Diabetes Association, Prevent Blindness, Costco Wholesale, Texas Medical Research, Texas Cooperative Extension, SAM Clinical Research,, MacGregor Medical Clinic, UTSA Counseling Services, South Texas Dental, MTM Bodyworks, Sole Support Medical and Walk San Antonio.

--Tim Brownlee

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Diabetes facts

  • Diabetes is a silent disease, which affects 18.2  million Americans; with only 13 million being diagnosed. Many people have the disease for years and do not know it.
  • Diabetes killed 213,062 Americans in 2000 and is the sixth leading cause of death.
  • Diabetes is a group of diseases characterized by high levels of blood glucose resulting from defects in insulin production, insulin action or both.
  • Diabetes can be associated with serious complications and premature death, but people with diabetes can take steps to control the disease and lower the risk of complications.
  • Diabetes can lead to blindness, heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, and nerve damage or infections, which can lead to amputations.

 

Diabetes risk factors

  • Being overweight
  • Family history of diabetes
  • High cholesterol (LDL over 100)
  • High blood pressure (above 130/80)
  • Little or no exercise
  • Age (over 55 at high risk, over 30 should be screened)
  • If you are African American, Hispanic, Native American, Asian American or Pacific Islander
  • A woman having a baby over 9 pounds at birth or having gestational diabetes

 

Diabetes signs and symptoms

  • Extreme thirst and hunger
  • Frequent urination
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Increased fatigue
  • Blurry vision at times

 

What you can do

  • Keep you weight under control
  • Stay active most days of the week
  • Eat low fat meals that are high in fruits, vegetables and whole-grain foods
  • See your doctor for an evaluation

 

Source: American Diabetes Association

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