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Free screenings check for diabetes, kidney disease

Hometown News: Suntree, Viera, Rockledge - 7/14/2017

BREVARD COUNTY ? Are you uninsured or have you been thinking about getting your annual doctor's visit in sometime soon? Look no further than a free health screening provided by professionals as part of the National Kidney Foundation of Florida's "Keep Healthy" program.

This free screening is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 15, at Club Zion in Cocoa Beach.

The screening will aid in the prevention and early diagnosis of diabetes and kidney failure through blood pressure and blood sugar screenings, as well as through body mass index (BMI) screenings.

For those participants who shows signs of high risk for diabetes or kidney disease, further advanced testing is available at no cost. This includes a urine analysis, which looks for protein in the urine and is one of the early signs of kidney disease.

If a participant's blood sugar level is elevated, despite coming in to the test from fasting, they will proceed with an A1C test, which is similar to the blood sugar test but shows a three-month average reading of blood sugar levels.

The Lion's Club will provide a retina test for those showing signs of high risk.

"The retina screening is something new we're doing," said Bill Hahn, patient advocate as a diabetic and kidney transplant recipient. "If somebody does have a high A1C they would move to a visual acuity test, which is a basic eye chart reading. If there is something wrong with the vision in that regard, they'll also have a blood pressure indication, and then they'll move on to a retinal scan."

As someone who had been diagnosed with diabetes at age 26 and had underwent a kidney transplant many years later due to kidney failure, Mr. Hahn explained that he has seen big advancements toward screenings and technology.

One such advancement in technology that Mr. Hahn told Hometown News about is a wearable artificial kidney that has recently been approved by the FDA.

"For diabetics and testing for diabetes, the insulin pump is something they've been using for a number of years and that is the closest thing to simulating the work of a pancreas," Mr. Hahn said. "Now, the newer systems combine the use of an insulin pump, which you program. It gives you much more freedom and it also gives you insulin around your meals."

It also includes a built-in monitoring system that will show the user their blood sugar level reading every half-hour on their smartphone, Mr. Hahn added.

"The implantable kidney is not something that is just good for people who can't find a match or are unable to get a match," Mr. Hahn said. "When someone has kidney failure, they're on dialysis for three days a week, anywhere from three to five hours, so they're maybe getting nine hours of their kidneys' functioning as opposed to 24/7. That's a huge difference."

Mr. Hahn said that he recommends anyone to take the opportunity of the free health screening. Those who have high blood pressure or family history of kidney failure, diabetes or heart disease are also encourage to take an hour out of their day for a free screening.

"We really want people to come out and take advantage of these screenings to make sure they don't have any issues," Mr. Hahn said. "It is treatable and early detection can save you a lot of heartache and give you a better quality, and longer, life."

Club Zion is at 830 S. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach.

To pre-register, call 1 (800) 927-9659.

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