“Cha-may weeya ”
Medicine Talk
Siletz
Community
Health
Clinic
The pathtowe,ine^
What could bring a large group of
people to a casino other than gambling?
At Chinook Winds in Lincoln City, the
Siletz Community Health Clinic did
just that, bringing together some 60
people with diabetes and their health
care workers.
According to Sandra Hahn, RN,
substantial research has proved the
effectiveness of intensive education. This
means more than your regular doctor’s
visit; it includes actual classes over a
period of time. Education has been so
effective in the long term in helping
people with diabetes control their blood
sugar levels and have fewer complications
that insurance companies are willing to
pay for these classes to be held.
When the local diabetes program
first heard about it, however, the only
hospitals holding classes were too far
away. While program directors were
trying to figure out a way to provide
for a group of patients to attend a class,
someone suggested starting our own
class. But how would we organize it?
The idea was so new and all the
programs were greatly varied. So they
decided to ask clinic patients.
One patient pulled Sandra aside and
said, “You know, I wish you’d just take
care of me for a few days and get me
started. Really show me how to eat and
how I’m supposed to live for the rest of
my life.’’ That’s when they decided to
combine intensive education with an
interactive, hands-on retreat. Participants
in the program would be taken care of
for .three days, with meals provided,
education met, and exercise worked into
their stay. And the program has been
going on, in two steps, ever since.
In May, diabetic Native Americans
and their family members sat anxiously
at the breakfast table of a large
conference room, wondering what
insights the next three days would bring.
The Path to Wellness, put on by the
CTSI Diabetes Grant, has indeed helped
many diabetic Native Americans better
understand and take care of their life
long condition.
All attending learned that diabetes
affects all body systems. “The best
defense’’ anyone can give us, says Dr.
Randy Teich, dentist, “is control.’’
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Siletz News
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One difficulty in having diabetes is
being careful what you eat.
Sugars are a definite no,
carbohydrates turn into sugar, alcohol
has a high sugar content, and not only
is this an inconvenience, but a diabetic’s
life can depend on the food choices they
make. Living with diabetes causes
greater complication risk factors. For
example, the risk for renal disease is six
times greater, heart disease goes up 42
percent, and cancer/stroke up 50 percent.
Blindness is more likely, blood vessels
harden, and you easily get gingivitis.
Attendees were taught things that
can be done as precautions to any
complications: a healthy diet, exercise,
checking blood sugar daily, brushing,
flossing, regular dental visits, healthy
weight,
not
smoking,
stress
management, and controlled blood
pressure. A presentation was given on
the benefits of exercise and fun, easy
examples were given in which everyone
present could participate.
Those present listened to a
presentation on recognizing trouble
symptoms and what to do in case of
high or low blood sugar.
Everyone was reminded to have
their feet checked annually, go to the
dentist once a year, get a dilated eye
exam annually, and a micro-albumin
test every three months. They discussed
many new treatments and daily aids that
the diabetic research field is developing.
One product was a blood sugar level
indicator that is worn like a watch - an
improvement over sticking your finger.
One big complication is depression
that often accompanies a chronic illness.
Angela Clarke, an ICW counselor,
stressed that depression is a clinical illness
and should not be downplayed or denied.
She listed several warning signs of
depression and talked with the group
about reasons they might be depressed.
One-third of Native Americans with
type II diabetes have been diagnosed
with clinical depression. In a moderate
case, natural remedies such as St. John's
Wort and light therapy, combined with
heightened social activity, may help
counteract the decline.
Smoking and diabetes is one of the
worst combinations to which you can
August 2001
“Smart Cycling”
Bicycle Safety Course
Aug. 3,2001
11 a.m. -1 p.m.
Siletz Tribal Community Center
For kids 8-14 years old
Learn and practice basic aspects of cycling safety,
traffic awareness, and have a lot of fun!
Lunch provided!
Smart Cycling Presenters
Cathy Rasmussen, RN, Community Health Director
Miranda Strong, Eugene A/O Community Health Advocate
Additional Health and Safety Presenters
Shannon Chrisman, Tobacco Prevention Coordinator
Norm Counts, Tribal Police Chief
Children must bring their own
bicycle and helmet.
Note: Siletz Tribal youth who do not have helmets
should see Maxine Rilatos prior to Aug. 3.
Parents welcome!
Please pre-register your child/children by calling 1-800-648-0449 or
541-444-1030 and asking for Shannon Chrisman at ext. 661 or
Alissa Lane at ext. 656
subject yourself. Smoking has an
impact on your blood flow and causes
poor control, along with delaying
medicinal reaction time. Smoking
throws off your metabolism, too.
Quitting holds benefits at any age.
You should exercise and contact a
dietician if you are concerned about
weight gain upon stopping. All area
offices have “quit-kits’’ and you can talk
to Shannon Chrisman, tobacco
prevention coordinator for the Siletz
Tribe, for more information.
Among the main points stressed
was control. So many times, we were
reminded that the first and most
important step on the path to wellness
is to keep our diabetes under control. If
you or someone you know is diabetic,
please make sure the affected party lets
their employer know their needs, wears
a diabetes ID bracelet, and always has
a snack with them in case of a crisis.
Rose Bremner, who attended the
retreat, is newly diagnosed with diabetes.
So it was all new to her and held a lot of
learning. She says she was very
“impressed ... by the support that people
give each other. People who have diabetes
and their spouses who don’t even have
diabetes, they were all very supportive.”