The Diabetes Treatment Center at Raleigh Community Hospital (DTC) is hosting a series of three lectures, including an Adolescents & Pumping Seminar.

"Teenage years used to be the most difficult time for anyone with diabetes," said Kim Hanchette, adult leader of Partners in Diabetes. With the creation of the insulin pump, however, diabetes patients can have total control of their diabetes.

"Insulin pumps have been labeled by some physicians as the closest thing we have to an artificial pancreas. Children and adolescents with Type 1 diabetes have especially benefited from the blood sugar control and flexibility of an insulin pump," said Stacey Armistead, program director of the DTC.
However, many adolescents are reluctant to get on the pump or are not aware of the extensive options and flexibility the pump offers them, said Hanchette.

The seminar will review the basics of these pumps and some advanced techniques for those that are already on pumps. Children and adults can also get information about the process of obtaining an insulin pump. Partners in Diabetes and the DTC staff will be hosting the seminar on Thursday, November 14 from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. in the RCH Dining Room.

Diabetes patients are also invited to participate in two other lectures during November in the DTC series.

A lecture and Q&A session on Heart Healthy: Prevention and Treatment of Cardiac Disease with Diabetes will be held on Thursday, November 7 from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. in the RCH Dining Room. In the lecture, Christopher Cabell, MD, of Duke Cardiology of Raleigh, will discuss how to prevent the complication of cardiac disease and also how to treat it along with diabetes. "Cardiac disease is unfortunately a familiar complication for patients with diabetes. Thirty percent of patients with cardiac disease also have diabetes," said Armistead.

Life’s frustrations also greatly impact the lives of diabetes patients due to the effect of stress on their blood sugar control. In the final lecture of the series, Yoga and Stress Management Techniques, Julie Kosey, MS, Certified Yoga Instructor, will present techniques that can be used at home and work to improve the health of the body, mind and spirit.

Individuals attending this lecture on Tuesday, November 19 from 7 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. are asked to please wear workout clothes and bring a towel or mat. Co-sponsored by Lifescan, this lecture will be held in the Cardiac Rehab building at Raleigh Community Hospital, 3301 Executive Drive.
"Diabetes is very much a self managed disease. The more information and resources people with diabetes have access to, the better they are able to manage their disease and live a life free of complications," said Armistead.

Anyone interested in this series should call 954-3616 to reserve his or her space. Seating is limited. All lectures are free.

Raleigh Community Hospital is a 205-bed acute-care facility located one block north of the beltline on Wake Forest Road in North Raleigh. Raleigh Community Hospital is part of the Duke University Health System. A full-service acute care hospital, RCH’s range of services includes the Diabetes Treatment Center, a 24-hour Emergency Department, Intensive and Critical Care, Child Birth Center, Rehabilitation, Newborn Hearing Screening, Senior Health Center and community education.