Kidney Disease and Diabetes

By Mary Loftis

Extension Assistant

According to the National Kidney Disease Education Program, more than 20 million Americans may have kidney disease and many more are at risk for it.  Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease in the United States.  The type of kidney disease associated with diabetes, called diabetic nephropathy, develops as a result of damage to the kidneys caused by elevated blood glucose levels over time.  Deborah Willcox, R.D., L.M.N.T., with Franciscan Care Services in West Point, will share dietary hints and precautions that can be taken to protect your kidneys.

Mary Loftis

Usually there are no symptoms associated with early kidney disease, but as the function of the kidneys deteriorates, a fluid imbalance can occur.  To learn more about kidney function and symptoms of kidney disease we invite you to attend the March 10 session of Control Diabetes for Life.

At any stage of kidney disease, you may benefit from the services of a Nephrologist, a doctor who specializes in the care of disorders of the kidneys.  But even if you do not have kidney disease you can be proactive about your kidney health by asking your doctor to give you a yearly update on your risk factors for kidney disease, including your HbA1C level and microalbuminuria test results.  By knowing where you stand, you can take appropriate action to improve your health and prevent or limit kidney dysfunction.

Fitting diabetes into your lifestyle is the key message today. Diabetes does not have to dictate how you live.  University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension and Franciscan Care Services invite you and your family members to participate in a new and exciting diabetes educational program. The series of programs is being offered via two-way interactive distance education. Participants will learn about current issues related to diabetes from educators with over 25 years of team-teaching experience.

Monday, March 10, is the first of three programs in the 2014 Control Diabetes for Life series. Topics that will be addressed during the two-hour program are: “Kidney Disease:  Action Steps to Take to Protect Your Health”, “Ways to Cut Food Costs”, and “What’s New in Diabetes Self-Management”, along with other helpful hints. Participants will sample a new recipe for a diabetic appropriate food. Team-teaching the program will be Deborah Willcox, R.D., L.M.N.T., and Stacie Petersen, B.S.N. and Certified Diabetes Educator both of Franciscan Care Services in West Point and Debra Schroeder, UNL Extension Educator in Cuming County.

Participants have the opportunity to attend the program from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at Tekamah-Herman High School in the Distance Learning Classroom.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, Franciscan Care Services of West Pont are hosting the presentation. The program is offered free-of-charge. Control Diabetes for Life will help participants learn to control diabetes and prolong the onset of complications from the disease. These sessions are designed to supplement the education that you received from your local diabetes education team and are not a substitute for diabetes classes through your local health care providers.

Participants are asked to pre-register for “Control Your Diabetes for Life” by calling UNL Extension in Burt County at 402-374-2929. Please register by Friday, March 7th, so the proper number of handouts may be prepared. Nebraska School Food Service Association has approved this session for two hours of continuing education credits for food service staff attending.

Control your diabetes for life!  Start by attending the March 10 distance education program.  Call today to register!

Mary Loftis,

Extension Assistant
UNL Extension – Burt County
111 North 13th Street, Suite 6
Tekamah, NE 68061
Phone: (402) 374-2929

Fax: (402) 374-2930

Internet: mloftis2@unl.edu