Diabetes & Nutrition Center

Diabetes and Nutrition Center

Redwood Area Hospital’s Diabetes and Nutrition Center helps people of all ages manage their diabetes and nutrition needs. This includes planning meals, taking medication, exercising, testing blood sugar and coping with a different lifestyle.

Staff work with clients to set attainable nutrition goals based on their health needs. From diabetes to digestive complications to obesity, nutritional counseling is an important step in achieving personal nutrition needs.

Diabetes Treatment
What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a condition that causes high blood glucose (blood sugar) levels. It is a chronic disease that can be managed. There is no cure. It doesn’t go away.

Diabetes can be a complex disease, whether you are diagnosed as a child, teen or adult. It takes time to adjust.

People with Type 1 diabetes must have insulin to survive. Many people with Type 2 diabetes can control their diabetes with lifestyle changes.

Many people with diabetes need to take medications to control their blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure.

Self-management is 95% of diabetes control.

When diabetes is not treated properly complications can include heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, blindness and eye problems, kidney disease, nervous system disease and amputations.

Diabetes Education and Support

Redwood Area Hospital’s Diabetes programs are lead by Certified Diabetes Educators and are recognized by the American Diabetes Association.

Basics
People newly diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes can learn about the disease and lifestyle changes that may be needed in their life to control their blood sugar.

Blood Sugar Monitoring
Each patient receives a complimentary blood sugar testing meter for testing blood sugar levels at home.

Insulin Starts
Patients new to insulin with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes can work with our center to learn about their care until they feel comfortable on their own

Insulin Pumps
In some cases it may be beneficial for a person with diabetes to use a pump to receive insulin. We work with patients to assess if an insulin pump is best for their care, start pump therapy, make insulin adjustments and provide support.

Insulin Adjustments
We work with people who have been taking insulin but are no longer in control of their diabetes. Sometimes it is necessary to make adjustments to nutrition, lifestyle and insulin to gain back control of diabetes.

Gestational Diabetes
We can help pregnant women manage their gestational diabetes through the length of their pregnancy, from lifestyle changes to medication.

Nutrition Counseling

During nutrition counseling sessions a clinical dietitian will discuss eating behaviors, make recommendations on behavior changes that could be made, and encourage food and activity records.

Sessions are individualized based on referral to include lipid management, hypertension, weight loss, allergies or food sensitivities, and other specific nutrition concerns.

Staff

Certified Diabetes Educators are available by appointment to support your personal journey with the disease.

Cindy Moldan – RN, CDE, OCN
Nurse Educator, Certified Diabetes Educator
507-637-4517