Janetski is a diabetes specialist at Kalispell Regional Medical Center, and she has organized a premier educational conference for later this week aimed at helping patients cope.
Called “Taking Control of Your Diabetes,” the program features national as well as local medical experts. Participants will attend lectures, take part in health screenings and speak one-on-one with specialists that include doctors, exercise coaches, psychologists, researchers, dieticians, pharmacists and other health care workers.
“It is my conviction that health care in this country will improve when the people living with diabetes themselves are informed and empowered to take an active role in their own condition,” said Dr. Steven Edelman. Edelman is founder of the California-based program and internationally recognized as a leader in diabetes treatment, and was himself diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 15.
“One of the biggest differences between diabetes and other diseases,” Edelman said, “is that diabetes control is in the hands of the patients, not the doctors. This TCOYD conference will give people an edge on the information and empowerment they need to live well with diabetes.”
Science still does not know why some people's bodies are unable to produce or properly use insulin, a hormone that “unlocks” cells to allow in the glucose needed to fuel life. Researchers have learned, however, that genetics, obesity and lack of exercise appear to contribute to the disease.
“Diabetes is unique in that daily decisions made by the patient have an immediate impact on their health,” Janetski said. “Education is critical to overcoming this disease, and this conference will arm the diabetes patient with the tools to fight back.”
According to Janetski, “approximately 6.4 percent of Montanans are diagnosed with diabetes,” and a full quarter of the state's population is at risk. Nationally, an estimated 21 million people, or 7 percent of the population, live with the disease.
Conference discussions will include practical advice on living with diabetes, as well as new treatment options, possible disease complications and nutritional suggestions.
The Saturday event is recommended for diabetes patients, as well as family, friends and anyone at high risk for the disease. A health fair, with 25 informational exhibits, will be open throughout the day.
Janetski advises preregistration, and said financial aid is available to help cover the cost of the program. Early registration fee is $20 per person, and includes lunch, healthy snacks and all conference activities.
If space still is available, same-day registration begins at 9 a.m. and costs $25. Call 1-800-998-2693 to confirm availability.
The conference runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m at Kalispell's Hilton Garden Inn. Go to www.tcoyd.org for more information.
Reporter Michael Jamison can be reached at 1-800-366-7186 or at mjamison@missoulian.com.
Take control
A “Taking Control of Your Diabetes” educational conference is planned for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Kalispell's Hilton Garden Inn. Early registration fee is $20 per person, and includes lunch, healthy snacks and all conference activities. Same-day registration begins at 9 a.m. and costs $25. Financial aid is available to help cover the cost of the program. Call 1-800-998-2693 or go to www.tcoyd.org for more information.
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