Diabetes

Torrance Memorial Diabetes program is an outpatient educational center that strives to help adults prevent and self-manage diabetes. Our team of health experts consists of a certified diabetic educators, registered dietitians, and physicians who serves as a medical consultants, all of whom work with your primary care physician to develop an individualized plan: one which you can live with and fits your lifestyle.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a medical condition where the body is unable to move glucose (often referred to as sugar) from the blood into the cells of the body that use glucose for energy, like the muscles and brain. There are several reasons glucose does not move from the blood to the cells. Diabetes is classified as Type 1, Type 2 or gestational diabetes. Regardless of the type, diabetes causes abnormally high blood glucose levels and the symptoms and complications are similar.

Symptoms

The following is a list of symptoms associated with diabetes. If you have any of the following symptoms see your doctor as soon as possible. However people with diabetes often do not have any symptoms, which makes it important to have yearly check-ups with your doctor to screen for diabetes. This is especially true if you have a risk factor for diabetes.

Symptoms of diabetes include:

• Frequent urination
• Extreme thirst
• Unexplained weight loss
• Blurry vision that changes daily
• Persistent feelings of fatigue or drowsiness
• Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
• Frequent or recurring skin, gum or bladder infections

Risk Factors

You may be at a higher risk for diabetes if any of the following are true:

• Over age 45
• Family history of diabetes
• Overweight
• Do not exercise regularly
• Have low HDL cholesterol, high triglycerides, or high blood pressure
• Women who had gestational diabetes, or who have had a baby weighing 9 pounds or more at birth

YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program

In partnership with Torrance-South Bay YMCA and generously sponsored by The Torrance Memorial Lundquist Lurie Cardiovascular Institute.

If you are at risk for type 2 diabetes, the YMCA's Diabetes Prevention Program provides a supportive environment where you can work with others in a small group setting to learn how to adopt healthy habits to reduce your chances of developing diabetes.

The program, which is led by a trained Lifestyle Coach in a classroom setting, is delivered over a 12-month period, beginning with 16 one-hour weekly sessions followed by 8 monthly maintenance sessions. You will learn strategies for eating healthier, increasing your physical activity and making other changes that will improve your overall health and well-being. National Institutes of Health research has proven that programs like the YMCA's Diabetes Prevention Program can reduce the number of cases of type 2 diabetes by almost 60%.

Lifestyle changes such as eating healthier, increasing physical activity and losing a modest amount of weight can prevent or delay development of type 2 diabetes in those at high risk for the disease. With the YMCA's Diabetes Prevention Program, you can work with others in a small group setting to learn how to adopt habits that will improve your overall health and well-being and reduce your risk and ensure that you can live life to its fullest.

For additional information about YMCA's Diabetes Prevention program in Torrance, California, call Jamisson Costa, Diabetes Prevention Regional Director at 310-602-4905, or email jamissoncosta@ymcala.org, or visit www.ymcala.org/DPPsignup to fill out an interest form.

Diabetes Self-Management Training Program

Diabetes Self-Management Training (DSMT) is a comprehensive educational program designed to provide participants with the skills, knowledge, and support needed to manage diabetes.

Torrance Memorial's DSMT program is certified by the American Diabetes Association and staffed by Certified Diabetes Educators who are either Registered Nurses or Registered Dietitians. Our program consists of an individualized consultation followed by a series of four small group classes; individual appointments can be arranged as needed.

Diabetes Classes

The self-care behaviors that you will develop in DSMT classes will help you successfully manage your diabetes and prevent or reduce the severity of diabetes complications. Classes cover the following topics:

• ABC's of diabetes
• Blood glucose monitoring, pattern identification and management
• Medication management: what, when, how and why
• Carbohydrate counting
• Reading food labels
• Meal planning and dining out
• Risk reduction of long-term complications
• Prevention and treatment of high and low blood glucose
• Exercise guidelines
• Healthy coping skills

Medical Nutrition Therapy

Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT), provided by a Registered Dietitian, is a therapeutic approach to managing medical conditions and symptoms through proper diet and nutrition. During your one-on-one consultation with a dietitian your individual nutrition needs will be addressed and a personalized meal plan will be created to help you better manage your diabetes. MNT goes hand in hand with the DSMT program to provide the most comprehensive and individualized program.

Sweet Success, Diabetes and Pregnancy

If you are pregnant and have diabetes, you may be worried about its impact on your baby. Through our Sweet Success program, you will meet one-on-one with a diabetes educator to learn the facts and develop an individualized plan to help you and your baby stay healthy.

Our Certified Diabetes Educators are specially trained through the Sweet Success program; developed by the California Department of Pregnancy and Diabetes, Sweet Success is the national gold standard in caring for women with pregnancy and diabetes.

Diabetes Support Group

Sometimes it helps to share with and hear and learn from others who are on a similar journey. The Diabetes support group provides a forum to express concerns, discuss experiences, and ask questions among others living with diabetes. Free, No reservations need.

• Meeting: First and Third Wednesday of every month
• Time: 1 - 2 pm
• Location: Specialty Building, 3rd Floor, Conference Room 350

• Meeting: Second and Fourth Tuesday of every month
• Time: 6:30 - 7:30 pm
• Location: Specialty Building, 3rd Floor, Conference Room 350

Is Outpatient Diabetes Care For You?

Talk to your primary care doctor to find out if outpatient diabetes care at Torrance Memorial is right for you. For additional information regarding Torrance Memorial Outpatient Diabetes Programs call 310-891-6707.