Zeeland, MI ?

Take your medicine. Watch what you eat. Get more exercise. Test your blood sugar level daily. Give yourself a shot, if needed.

It all seems so simple, doesn't it?

But the typical course of treatment for adults with type 2 diabetes is anything but simple, said Dr. William Polonsky, a psychiatrist who specializes in the behavioral treatment of people with diabetes.

Taking care of yourself when you have diabetes is physically demanding and can be mentally draining, said the founder of the Diabetes Behavior Institute and a psychiatry professor at the University of California, San Diego.

“People who don't have diabetes tend to think of it as something that is pretty easy to deal with. It's a lot more difficult and complicated for many people,?Polonsky said “We have all the medical tools we need to help people stay safe and healthy with diabetes, yet people don't do well. They are still struggling with this disease every day because there is a lot to do.

“It's easy to get confused, overwhelmed and frustrated with diabetes, and many people just give up.?

Polonsky will be the featured speaker at Zeeland Community Hospital's fourth annual Diabetes Day from 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday at the hospital.

Polonsky will be speaking on the topic “Succeeding with Diabetes?from 9 to 10 a.m., and will then join Dr. Philip Tate, medical director of The Diabetes Center, for a panel discussion from 10 to 11:15 a.m.

Diabetes Day will also include information about eye care, blood pressure, body composition and foot screenings. There will be prize giveaways, flu vaccinations for $29 and the opportunity to talk with representatives from diabetes supply companies.

Polonsky said his speech will focus on how people can cope with the emotional strain of dealing with diabetes.

“All I focus on is looking at the personal side of living with diabetes, the emotional side of living with diabetes. It's not a subject that is talked about much,?Polonsky said. “But we are going to have fun with it. Living with diabetes is such a hassle, keeping a good sense of humor is a good way to deal with it.?

Polonsky likened the physical demands of living with diabetes to having a second job ?one diabetes patients don't sign up for, and one that doesn't pay well. It's easy, he said. to let things slip through the cracks when there is so much to do, and so many things calling patients to do things that are counter productive.

“We know that quite a large percentage of people with diabetes have a tough time taking the medications they are required to take,?Polonsky said. “We are all creatures of habit and we have numerous amounts of temptations in America in terms of food, and most people have a hard time following what we would call a diabetes-friendly way of eating.?

Diabetes Day
?8:30 a.m. to noon, Saturday
?Zeeland Community Hospital, 8333 Felch St., Zeeland, 49464
?Featuring nationally known diabetes psychiatrist, Dr. William Polonsky from San Diego.
?Free to the public
?Pre-registration not necessary