Much of the food we eat is turned into sugar in the blood for our bodies to use for energy.

A hormone produced by the pancreas called insulin helps sugar in our blood get into the cells of our bodies. If your body doesn’t make enough insulin or if the insulin doesn’t work the way it should, blood sugar can’t get into your cells and instead stays in your blood, raising your blood sugar level.

It’s important to keep your blood sugar controlled, because when too much sugar stays in your blood for a long time, it can damage blood vessels and nerves. Maintaining an ideal body weight and an active lifestyle may prevent type 2 diabetes.

Currently there is no way to prevent type 1 diabetes.

There is no effective screening test for type 1 diabetes in people who don’t have symptoms.

Screening for type 2 diabetes in people with no symptoms is recommended for:

• Overweight children who have other risk factors for diabetes starting at age 10 and repeating every 2 years;

• Overweight adults (BMI greater than 25) who have other risk factors;

• Adults over 45, repeated every three years.

Regularly have the following tests:

• Have your blood pressure checked every year (blood pressure goals should be 130/80 mm/Hg or lower).

• Have your glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) checked every six months if your diabetes is well controlled, otherwise every three months.

• Have your cholesterol and triglyceride levels checked yearly (aim for LDL levels below 100 mg/dL, less than 70 mg/dL in high-risk patients).

Stay up-to-date with all of your vaccinations and get a flu shot every year in the fall.

If you have questions about your blood sugar and would like more information, come to your Diabetes 101 Signs, Symptoms and Prevention class on Wednesday, Oct. 26 at 5:30 p.m.

 

Upcoming Events

Monday: Blood pressure checks, 9 a.m.; NAPS, 9:30 a.m.; cards (Pinochle, Bridge), 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Silver Sneakers, 8:30 a.m.; Exercise with Evie, 9 a.m.; cards (Pinochle, Duplicate Bridge), 12:30 p.m;; Tai Chi 4 p.m.; Zumba Gold, 4 p.m.; SilverSneakers, 4:30 p.m.; Zumba, 5:30 p.m.; Movie: “Kindergarten Cop,” 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Wood Carvers, 8:30 a.m.; Tai Chi, 9:30 a.m.; Mac Degen Support, 10 a.m.; cards (Pinochle, Cribbage, Duplicate Bridge), 12:30 p.m., Stitching Bees, 1 p.m.; open chess, 1 p.m.; wind chime class, 4 p.m.

Thursday: SilverSneakers, 8:30 a.m.; Exercise with Evie, 9 a.m.; cards (Pinochle), 12:30 p.m.; Bingo, 1 p.m.; open chess, 1 p.m.; Zumba, 4 p.m.; SilverSneakers, 4:30 p.m.; Zumba, 5:30 p.m.

Friday: Tai Chi, 9:30 a.m.; cards (Bridge Tournament), 12:30 p.m.

 

Weekly Card Results

Monday Bridge Results

Oct. 3, three tables

1st Lois Johnson, 2nd Dave Solomonson, 2nd Judy Bungum, 4th John Allen, 5th Steve Howard

Tuesday “500”Results

Oct. 4 , four tables

1st Arnold Bergstrom, 2nd Eddie Hall, 3rd Dorothy Stern, 4th Wilbur Mittag

Tuesday Afternoon Bridge Results

Oct. 4, five tables

1st Jim Fisher, 1st Bud Higgins; 2nd Marge Blaser, 2nd Joyce Crowe; 3rd Dick Hansen, 3rd Larry Crowe; 4th  Vande Newman, 4th Steve Howard

Friday Bridge Results

Oct. 7, three tables

1st Beth Myers, 2nd Dave Ring, 3rd Betty Jorgenson, 4th Mary Johnson, 5th Harriet Oldenberg

Pinochle

Mildred Ballantyne

Friday Cribbage Results

Three tables

1st John Allen, 2nd Val Lo Valle, 3rd Loretta Nelson

Weekly “500” Results

Oct. 7, four tables

1st  Beulah Luthe, 2nd Fran Bolsted, 3rd Arnold Bergstrom, 4th Marion Zimmerman

Weekly Cribbage Results

Oct. 7, one table

1st Loretta Prantner

 

Semcac Daily Meals

Monday: Chili con carne

Tuesday: Italian chicken

Wednesday: Beef pot roast

Thursday: Meat lasagna

Friday: Onion smothered steak