Kent Sturhahn thinks attitude is everything. He thinks people with diabetes should take an active role in their care, controlling their disease, so it doesn''t control them.
With this attitude, this 57-year-old grandfather of three has been able to continue working, hunting, fishing, biking, golfing and traveling with his wife since his diagnosis with Type 1 diabetes 17 years ago.
Sturhahn says he knew the diagnosis before he even consulted his primary care physician in Springfield, Ill. Over the course of a month, he had begun experiencing shakiness, frequent urination, blurry vision and weight loss — hallmark symptoms of diabetes.
When oral medication failed to stabilize his blood sugar levels, he insisted on starting intensive insulin therapy. He also educated himself about the effects of diet and exercise on blood sugar.
Sturhahn was transferred to St. Louis several years ago and found wholehearted supporters in Clay Semenkovich, MD, professor of medicine, cell biology and physiology at Washington University and director of endocrinology, metabolism and lipid research and the rest of the endocrine physicians and staff.
They are "tremendous coaches," Sturhahn says. "A lot of people with diabetes think they can just sit back and let the doctor take care of them. Dr. Semenkovich encourages you to take good care of yourself, and he''s there to help and support you in any way that he can. His treatment plans begin with a thorough evaluation of both the patient and the patient''s family medical histories. This provides the endocrine staff with the information necessary to create an action plan that treats not only the diabetes but also assesses ways to be proactive in reducing the risk of diabetic complications. It''s no accident that I''ve had diabetes for 17 years without complications," Sturhahn says.
In addition to supportive physicians with access to the latest diabetes research, diabetic patients at Barnes-Jewish have the resources of the American Diabetes Association-accredited Barnes-Jewish Diabetes Education Service. The service offers individualized education in topics including insulin pump use, blood glucose monitoring, carbohydrate counting and meal planning and dealing with sick days or pregnancy. The physicians, in concert with the diabetes nurse educators and registered dietitians, help patients set a course that will let them best manage their diabetes, then support them in gaining control.
"When I moved to St. Louis, I started researching and found Barnes-Jewish Hospital. I won the lottery," Sturhahn said.