COLUMBIA, Tenn. — In September, Maury Regional Health will begin offering a new support group to provide education and encouragement for children managing type 1 or type 2 diabetes and their support systems.
The free support group will hold its first meeting Tuesday, September 20, at 5:30 p.m. at the Maury Regional Annex (1223 Trotwood Avenue in Columbia), which is located across the street from Maury Regional Medical Center. Subsequent meetings of the Pediatric Diabetes Support Group will be held at the same time and location on the third Tuesday of each month.
“If your child is diagnosed with diabetes, it is perfectly natural to have questions and concerns — especially in the beginning as you learn to navigate the condition,” said Michelle Kennedy, RN, CDE, a certified diabetes educator for Maury Regional Health. “Our goal with this support group is to serve as a resource for you and your family.”
Diabetes is a chronic condition that occurs when the body no longer produces insulin or is unable to properly use the insulin it produces. The condition impacts more than 37 million people in the U.S., including approximately 283,000 children. There are two common forms of diabetes — type 1 and type 2 — that can occur at any age although type 1 is most common among children. Symptoms of diabetes in children may include frequent urination, being very thirsty, unintentional weight loss, irritability or behavior changes, fatigue and/or increased appetite. Parents who observe their children experiencing any of these symptoms should contact their child’s health care provider.
While there is no cure for diabetes, proactively managing the condition by monitoring blood sugar, using insulin therapy and maintaining a healthy diet can lower the risk for long-term health problems.
To learn more about the new Pediatric Diabetes Support Group or other diabetes resources at Maury Regional Health, visit MauryRegional.com/Diabetes or call 931.540.4324.