SHELLS EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
   287 Shells Church Road, Grantville, PA  17028
      Office:   469-2586           Fax:   469-1077 


health ministry news

 

                                  On Sunday, January 4,  we will be conducting blood pressure testing in the Library at 9:15 AM.

  

  

DIABETES

   If you have diabetes or a loved one or friend does, you’ve probably been told that it’s important to control the blood glucose (sugar) levels.  This can help you feel your best and prevent and control the diabetes complications such as vision, kidney, nerve and blood vessel damage.

   With a diagnosis of diabetes, you will be advised to check your glucose levels daily at home with a blood glucose monitor.  And more than likely, your health care professional has recommended regular A1C testing as well.

   The A1C test, also called a glycated hemoglobin or HbA1C test, gives a clear picture of what your glucose levels have been over the past two to three months. A person who doesn’t have diabetes has an A1C reading of about 5 percent. As your average glucose rises, so does your A1C level. The below table shows the correlation between your A1C level and the average levels over the previous two to three months.

   Experts say that people with diabetes should have their A1C levels checked every three to six months with a target A1C reading as close to 5 percent as possible.

 

If your A1C is:

Your average blood glucose level has been:

6

135

7

170

8

205

9

240

10

275

11

310

12

 

345

Text Box:

  

   If you have a family history of diabetes, either Type 1 or 2, an annual A1C should be done.  The A1C test is an additional tool to help you take control of your health whether you have diabetes or want to prevent its onset.

   Any individual who may be interested in learning to monitor blood pressure readings on a monthly basis for our congregational members, please call Sandy or Jean.  We will train you—no medical background required. 


medical information

The Health Ministry provides medical brochures and informational sheets on various health topics and this information is located in Shells’ Library.  The following brochures have been added to our Library:

 

  • Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage

  • Colorectal Cancer Prevention

  • Patient’s Rights and Responsibilities Statement

  • Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring (Measure your risk of heart disease.)

  • Smoking Information and Tools to Help You Quit

  • Hospice Information

  • Bereavement Programs and Support Groups

  • Health Information on the Internet

  

Yours in Christ,

Shells' Church Health Ministry