ALTON — A proper diet is a key to living a healthier life, not only in treating existing health conditions but also to prevent developing those conditions.
Naomi Ward is the outpatient dietitian at Alton Memorial Hospital and can help you get your diet in order. Ward works closely with diabetes educator Lisa James and can show you how what you eat can help avoid or decrease symptoms of diabetes as well as complications like kidney disease, wounds that won’t heal, amputations, blindness and retinopathy, neuropathy and impotence.
Outpatient nutrition information is available one on one with Ward or as part of support groups led by Ward and James.
“If you have a family history of diabetes, you are at risk of this disease,” Ward said. “We have diabetic group classes twice weekly (Wednesdays and Thursdays in room G-252 on the Ground Floor of the AMH Olin Wing) where you can learn more. We even have an evening class for those needing late hours after work.”
Ward also sees patients with other conditions, including heart disease, renal disease, obesity, malnutrition/ underweight/failure to thrive, Crohn’s disease and gout.
For information about diabetes management, contact James at (618) 463-7526. Ward can be reached at (618) 463-7742. Her office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Both are located on the ground floor of the AMH Olin Wing, just inside the Olin Wing entrance (orange awning across the parking lot from valet parking). James is in Room G-267 and Ward is next door in Room G-261.
To make an appointment, call (618) 463-7647. Patients also will need a physician referral/order faxed to (618) 463-7197 for nutritional counseling and/or the diabetes group classes.
Type 2 diabetes symptoms
- Tiredness
- Blurred vision
- Cuts and sores that do not heal
- Dry, itchy skin
- Infections (or the same infection keeps coming back)
- Numbness and tingling in the feet or hands
Type 1 diabetes symptoms
- Frequent urination
- Increased thirst
- Increased hunger
- Unexplained weight loss