Diabetic Day (main headline)

By Staff
Local doctor supports diabetes awareness (sub-headline)
Kim West
Franklin County Times
A local physician sponsored a Diabetic Day held in early November, which is also American Diabetes Month.
Diana Horton and Kevin Kilpatrick, representatives from A&E Medical in Florence, set up a diabetes display in the Russellville office of Dr. Harry Kuberg and answered questions from patients and visitors about diabetic equipment.
"We're trying to get into doctors' offices because it's more convenient for the patients," Horton said.
The display included a giveaway for a free glucometer, a portable device that measures blood sugar, samples of diabetic shoes and brochures about diabetes, a disease that causes abnormally high blood glucose levels and affects nearly 21 million people in the U.S.
"Diabetes is a disease where your body doesn't make enough insulin," said James Hamilton, a Russellville resident who has been a Dr. Kuberg patient for 10 years. "I've used insulin shots and medication, and I also watch my diet and exercise. I went off medication for three years, but then I had double pneumonia and had to go back on medication because it stabilizes my (blood) sugar."
Hamilton said he was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes more than 15 years ago after he experienced several symptoms.
"I kept getting sick, and I was drinking a lot of water and eating a lot sugar. The normal blood sugar level is between 70 and 109, and mine was up to 6,000."" said Hamilton, who believes he contracted diabetes from exposure to
Agent Orange while serving as a U.S. Marine Corps lance corporal in Vietnam.
"Dr. Kuberg is a good doctor – he always does a good job for me, and he was actually a M.D. in the military. I also get medical treatment from the (Veterans Affairs) office in Muscle Shoals."
Diabetes can cause serious health complications, including heart disease, blindness, kidney failure and lower-extremity amputations and is the sixth leading cause for death in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control.
"You need to take care of your feet, especially if you're diabetic," Hamilton said. "Diabetes can affect your eyes, kidneys and blood pressure – it starts from the top of your head to your toenails."