Hannibal Regional Hospital | Diabetes Center

According to the American Diabetes Association, Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. The cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles.

Type I- diabetes is usually diagnosed before age 40. With type I diabetes, the body makes little or no insulin. Therefore, insulin injections must be given along with good nutrition and exercise to control it.

Type II- diabetes typically is diagnosed after age 40. The pancreas still makes insulin, but the body doesn't use it properly. Type II diabetes can be controlled by good nutrition and physical activity alone, or including oral medications and/or insulin injections.

Gestational- diabetes may occur during pregnancy and can be controlled with meal planning, exercise, and/or insulin injections. Other types of diabetes, such as those caused by medications or other illnesses, can also be controlled with healthy eating, exercise, and medications.

Education Program

The Hannibal Regional Hospital Diabetes Center can help you manage your diabetes. A specially trained clinician and specially trained dietitian teach you healthy eating, exercising, coping, and taking your medications. A free meter is available if needed, along with monitoring instructions. The staff works with you and your physician to create a plan that is right for you.

Services available to diabetes patient's along with their spouses, family, or significant others include:

As part of the education process, an informational packet is given with each session of diabetes self management training.

Diabetes Self Management training allows you to better control your diabetes along with sustaining those life changes. It has been shown to have positive results for people with diabetes. This nationally recognized program follows the American Diabetes Program to help optimize metabolic control, prevent acute and chronic complications, and help achieve a positive quality of life. Group classes are outlined below:

Class I: What is diabetes and how does it affect your life? Physical activity and dietary modifications. Self management practices (monitoring of blood glucose, foot care, eye exams, regular physician follow up). Carbohydrate counting/meal planning and goal setting.

Class II: Medications, Insulin. Travel with diabetes. Sick day guidelines. Diet/meal planning review and answering questions.

Class III: Heart healthy eating. Alcohol and diabetes. Monitoring blood pressure, salt reduction in diet. Related complications (sleep apnea, depression, kidney disease, cardiovascular disease).

Individual sessions available as well for diabetes education and/or other chronic illnesses including; dietary education for congestive heart failure, heart disease, gastrointestinal disorders, and weight loss management.

These services are covered by Medicare and mostly private insurance companies. A physician referral is required. Participants are encouraged to call the Diabetes Center with questions or concerns at 573-629-3382

Diabetes Support Group: The group provides an opportunity for learning and support in a relaxed environment. Each month a new educational topic is discussed. The group is led by diabetic educators from the Hannibal Regional Diabetes Center. It meets the first Wednesday of every month in the Hannibal Regional A/B Conference Room from 3:00pm to 4:00pm. This group is free of charge and open to the public. Please call 573-629-3417 or 573-629-3382 for more information or to be added to our mailing list.