6 Sunday, October 28, 2018 Hawaii Tribune-Herald
“People with diabetes are
at greater risk of developing
eye disease such as macular
edema, retinopathy and cataracts,”
according to Colleen
Talich, certified diabetes educator
at Hilo Medical Center
and facilitator of the diabetes
support group. “Diabetic
retinopathy is the most common
diabetic eye disease
and a leading cause of blindness
in American adults.
Eighty percent of those
who have had diabetes
for 20 years or more will
develop diabetic retinopathy.
Ninety percent of new
cases could be reduced
with proper treatment and
monitoring of the eyes.”
Join us for the next
Diabetes Support Group
meeting at 4 p.m. every
second Tuesday of the
month in Hilo Medical
Center’s Learning Center
on the second floor.
There will be an opportunity
for an open discussion
regarding eye disease prevention
and care. Anyone interested
is welcome to attend.
For more information, call
Colleen at 932-3034 or email
her at ctalich@hhsc.org.
COPD SUPPORT GROUP
According to the COPD Foundation,
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is an
umbrella term used to describe progressive
lung diseases including emphysema, chronic
bronchitis, refractory (non-reversible)
asthma and some forms of bronchiectasis.
This disease is characterized by
increasing breathlessness. It affects
more than 30 million Americans.
“I was healthy and active before I
got COPD, but I was a smoker until
I quit in 1998,” says Lori Thompson,
who used to work at ‘Imiloa Astronomy
Center in Hilo. “I was so ashamed
when I first had to wear my oxygen. I
stayed home and was really lonely.”
“But then I realized that I didn’t want
to be stuck at home and got inspired to
meet others so we could encourage each
other to continue living,” added Lori
about asking Hilo Medical Center to start
the COPD Support Group last year.
Lori and her husband, David, do outreach
regularly in the hospital lobby
to invite people living with COPD
to the support group meetings.
The COPD Support Group meets
every third Monday of the month
in Hilo Medical Center’s Learning
Center on the second floor.
The group addresses a variety of topics,
including medications, exercise, diet
and therapy and is open to people living
with COPD and their loved ones.
DIABETES SUPPORT GROUP
link
