IN Chartiers Valley Spring 2014 | Page 7

Diabetes is reaching epidemic
proportions

Defeating Diabetes

Lloyd Corder never thought he’d be one of
the 26 million Americans with diabetes.
Focused on building a business, teaching
marketing research to college students, and
raising a family left little time for self-care.
“I knew that had to change,” he says.
Lloyd’s doctor referred him to the Diabetes
Self-Management Program at UPMC
Mercy. Within six months of starting the
program, Lloyd reduced his blood glucose
and A1c back to normal levels. “That support
and encouragement was important to my
success,” he adds.
“This is a comprehensive education
and support program that’s recognized
by the American Diabetes Association,”
explains Diane Battaglia, RN, CDE,
a certified diabetes nurse educator.
“We cover topics such as problem solving,
blood glucose monitoring, insulin training,
medications, healthy eating, activity and
exercise, reducing the risk of complications,
and other self-management techniques,”
she adds.

Take steps to prevent diabetes
Prevention is the goal of the hospital’s
Group Lifestyle Balance Program™ (GLB)
that focuses on building good-for-you
habits. “Anyone with prediabetes who
wants to reduce their risk factors for
developing the disease can participate in
GLB without physician referral,” says
Ms. Battaglia.
To learn more about the diabetes programs
at UPMC Mercy, call 412-232-5908, or visit
classes.upmc.com.

Are you at risk?
Here are some things that
increase your risk of type
2 diabetes:
• Being over age 45
• Having a family history of
the disease
• Being overweight
• Not exercising regularly
If you are at higher risk,
see your doctor for additional
testing.

This advertorial has been provided by UPMC. © 2014 UPMC