Diabetes Self Management by Rio Grande Regional Hospital

An estimated 76,000 people in the Rio Grande Valley have diabetes and as many as 3 in 5 of those people will need some form of hospital or ER services. Providing diabetes education and resources to the communities we serve is one way we keep our commitment to providing high-quality care you can trust to the residents of the Rio Grande Valley.

Rio Grande Regional Hospital offers diabetes self-management and outpatient nutrition-counseling services for patients with diabetes, prediabetes, juvenile diabetes and pregnancy-related diabetes. Our diabetes self-management education program has been recognized by the American Diabetes Association (ADA). We’re active in the community as well, participating in local health fairs and events as well as providing education in local schools on request.

Diabetes is a lifelong health challenge best met with a proactive approach. So whether diabetes affects an adult, child or pregnant woman, the Diabetes Management Center at Rio Grande Regional Hospital is here to help patients meet those challenges.

Our center helps patients better manage their health and provides educational and support services for type 1, type 2, gestational diabetes and prediabetes. Since obesity contributes to diabetes and diabetic complications, all of our programs include weight loss or weight management support. Many of our Diabetes Management Center programs are available to patients without a physician’s referral. Our Medical Nutrition Therapy services do require a referral and are paid for by most insurance carriers.

Hours of Operation: Mon – Fri: 8:00am – 5:00pm

For more information, call (956) 632-6523.

What are the Symptoms of Diabetes?

It’s estimated that 1 in 11 Americans have diabetes, with more than a million new cases diagnosed every year. Symptoms vary and aren’t always noticeable, which explains why 1 in 4 people living with disease don’t even know they have it. Symptoms may include:

• Extreme thirst
• Frequent urination
• Intense hunger
• Blurred vision
• Unexplained weight loss or weight gain
• Weakness and fatigue
• Irritability
• Itchy skin
• Nausea and vomiting
• Skin infections
• Numbness or tingling in fingers or toes
• Sores are slow to heal (especially on the feet)

A simple blood test is the first step towards diagnosing diabetes, which can quickly lead to complications when untreated. Talk to your doctor or stop by our clinic.

Diabetes Management Clinic

The Rio Grande Regional Hospital Diabetes Clinic is designed to help you take control of your diabetes – or get a diabetes screening test and exam. This outpatient clinic located in our main hospital can help you:

• Make sense of the numbers, and what they mean for your health
• Plan meals and make healthy choices
• Find time to be more active and get exercise
• Manage your medications
• Use a glucose meter and managing your blood glucose levels
• Learn how to prepare and take insulin
• Create a plan to attain your goals

The Diabetes Clinic is open weekdays from 8:00am – 5:00pm, closed for lunch between noon and 1:00pm Walk-ins are welcome or call (956) 632-6523.

The Team Approach to Diabetes Management

Our diabetes educators provide inpatient and outpatient management programs designed to help you improve your diabetes self-care skills and enhance the quality of your life. Our educational programs use a team approach and we believe this concept provides the best, most long-lasting results for our patients. Our specially trained staff works with the patient, family and physician to personalize and customize each plan.

Our diabetes and nutrition counseling services include:

• Inpatient – Essential diabetes management survival skills training
• Outpatient – Comprehensive self-management programs
• Managing and living with diabetes
• Insulin administration
• Blood glucose monitoring
• Personal healthcare guidelines
• Weight management help
• Nutrition management including meal planning, portion control and healthy food choices
• Nutrition counseling for non-diabetes conditions, such as impaired glucose tolerance (prediabetes)
• Diabetes and Pregnancy – Includes pre-conceptual counseling for type 1 and type 2 diabetes, pregnancy counseling for overt type 1 and type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes counseling and postpartum counseling/diabetes prevention

Medical Nutrition Therapy

Planning meals responsibly is a basic requirement for managing conditions like diabetes, obesity and high cholesterol. Our Medical Nutritional Therapy program offers patients one-on-one and group counseling with a Registered Dietitian who specializes in diabetes care and other nutritional conditions. The dietitian assists patients in developing realistic goals, meal management skills, flexible meal-planning and weight management guidelines. Patients also learn how good nutrition impacts and improves their health regardless of the condition.

Medical Nutrition Therapy at Rio Grande Regional Hospital requires a physician referral and is paid for by most insurance carriers.

Diabetes Class Schedule

Rio Grande Regional Hospital offers a variety of diabetes classes in both English and Spanish for only $20 each. Class attendees receive valuable feedback via a personalized meal plan. Visit the Diabetes Education page for detailed information about all our diabetes management classes, view our online calendar or call (956) 632-6523 for more information.