Years before being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, Cynthia Jenny’s primary care physician, Garth Bennington, M.D., of Licking Memorial Family Practice – West Main, warned Cynthia that she had prediabetes.  Patients with prediabetes have higher blood sugar levels than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes, and are at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke.  The serious health condition can be reversed by making healthy lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet, exercising and losing weight.  Cynthia knew she had to do something to prevent the development of type 2 diabetes, and asked Dr. Bennington about educational opportunities through Licking Memorial Health Systems (LMHS).  

As an employee of an Ohio restaurant chain, Cynthia worked long hours and had a very lengthy commute.  She felt like she had little time to care for herself, and did not understand what steps to take to lower her blood sugar levels.  “It was very scary for me.  A manager I knew had a foot amputated due to complications from diabetes,” Cynthia said.  “I did not want that to happen to me, but I did not have the education I needed to make a complete lifestyle change.”  

Soon, testing revealed her blood sugar levels had risen, and Dr. Bennington diagnosed her with type 2 diabetes.  With type 2 diabetes, the body does not use insulin properly causing high blood sugar levels.  Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar by helping cells absorb the sugar from foods to produce energy.  

Once diagnosed with diabetes, Dr. Bennington referred Cynthia to Licking Memorial Diabetes Self-management Education Services – a series of classes designed by registered nurses, dietitians and pharmacists and approved by the American Diabetes Association.  Patients learn how to care for themselves on a daily basis through topics such as proper nutrition, medication management, blood sugar monitoring, the importance of physical activity, problem solving and reducing risks of diabetes complications.  

“The classes were exactly what I needed to understand my diagnosis and the lifestyle changes I needed to make,” Cynthia said.  “It made knowing I had diabetes less frightening.”  Learning to read food labels helped Cynthia spot hidden sugars and calculate her daily intake of carbohydrates.  She decided to drink more water and give up sugary sodas.  “The information I received helped me be more successful in managing my diabetes, and it affirmed what I learned from other people with diabetes who shared their input,” Cynthia recalled.  The educators also helped Cynthia understand the importance of daily blood sugar monitoring.  She learned to recognize how her body reacted to food throughout the day.  

The Education Services includes a personal visit with a dietitian.  Cynthia took advantage of the visit to ask questions about her nutritional habits.  The dietitian was able to create a plan that included a calorie and carbohydrate count.  Cynthia learned proper portion sizes and what foods were better for her to consume to keep her blood sugar level from spiking.

Dr. Bennington also referred Cynthia to the Licking Memorial Wellness Center.  Staff members at the Wellness Center demonstrated how to use the equipment, monitored Cynthia’s workouts and created a personalized exercise plan that began slowly and increased gradually.  With guidance from Fitness Coordinator Darcy Nethers, Cynthia recorded her blood sugar level before and after exercising.  “Darcy is very knowledgeable and taught me to understand the effects of exercise on my blood sugar and to prevent it from going too high or too low.”  Cynthia was working late hours, and decided she preferred to exercise after work, so she enrolled at a local gym to work out on her own.  “I spoke to Darcy before I enrolled at the gym, and she told me I had learned everything I needed to know and would do fine on my own.”  By sticking to her nutrition and exercise plan, Cynthia lost 57 pounds and has been successful in managing her type 2 diabetes.

Cynthia’s family has been her biggest support in making lifestyle changes, and she now is sharing her experience.  Dr. Bennington warned there is a potential for her family members to develop type 2 diabetes as well.  Her daughters, Roxy and Jedda, both have lost weight and made lifestyle changes of their own.  Cynthia’s son, Nick, introduced her to a fitness app that makes it easier to track food and activities.  The family, including her husband, Phil, also supported Cynthia’s decision to change jobs.  “I felt so good about all the changes I had made, and I was ready to try something that made me happy.”  Cynthia left the restaurant business and began working as a General Manager at a convenience store and fueling station in Newark.  She is grateful to be able to spend time with her children and her grandson, Conner.

LMHS offers Diabetes Self-management Education and Support for newly diagnosed or chronic diabetes patients.  The classes, held on Wednesdays, 12:00 Noon to 2:00 p.m., are taught by certified diabetes educators – including nurses, dietitians and pharmacists – and consist of four consecutive two-hour classes.  Evening classes are offered twice a year in May and October.  The program can be scheduled through central scheduling with a physician’s order.  Most insurances or uncompensated care cover the cost of the classes.  Contact the Diabetes Education Center at (220) 564-4915 to receive more information about the classes.  LMH’s Diabetes Education Program offers two dietitians to assist with one-on-one patient diabetes management.  Appointments may be scheduled by calling (220) 564-4722.  A physician referral is required to participate in the DSMES class and nutritional counseling.