UKIAH — Tuesday is American Diabetes Association Alert Day and should be a “wake-up call” in which the public is urged to take the Diabetes Risk Test to find out if they are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
The Diabetes Risk Test asks users to answer simple questions about weight, age, family history and other potential risk factors for prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. Preventative tips are provided for everyone who takes the test, including encouraging those at high risk to talk with their health care provider.
According to Brenda Hoek, registered nurse and diabetes educator at Ukiah Valley Medical Center, “Diabetes Alert Day really should be a wake-up call. Especially since the statistics are that one-in-three have prediabetes and one-in-four have diabetes and don”t know it. Taking the Diabetes Risk Test on our website at uvmc.org/diabetes is an easy, painless and private way to determine your risk factor.”
Linda Ayotte, registered dietitian and diabetes educator suggests, “If the Diabetes Risk Test gives you a high risk assessment, I would recommend you schedule an appointment with your doctor for further screening.”
Ayotte continued, “If your doctor finds that you have the signs and symptoms of prediabetes, we”re here to help. We offer counseling, nutrition and cooking classes, and monthly support meetings to help keep you on track and keep symptoms under control.”
In addition to the services offered by the diabetes education department, a free diabetes screening will take place from noon to 3 p.m. May 10 at the Advanced Wound Center, located at 415 Hospital Drive in Ukiah. Services will include blood sugar testing, foot screening, diabetes care instruction and tour of the Advanced Wound Center.
Ukiah Valley Medical Center is part of Adventist Health, a not-for-profit, faith-based health care system operating in California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington.
Founded on the Seventh-day Adventist heritage of Christian health care, Adventist Health is comprised of 17 hospitals with more than 2,600 beds, approximately 18,600 employees, numerous clinics and outpatient facilities, the largest system of rural health clinics in California with additional sites in Oregon and Washington, 14 home care agencies and four joint-venture retirement centers. For more information, visit www.uvmc.org.
Nick Bejarano is marketing manager for Ukiah Valley Medical Center. Take the diabetes risk test at uvmc.org/diabetes.
