Take Pre-Diabetes Seriously and You Can Avoid Type 2 Diabetes
Yes, it is easy to go into panic mode when you hear your health care provider mention the diagnosis of pre-diabetes.
It is important to acquire information about type 2 diabetes and what action you should take to prevent it's development.
After all, knowledge is empowerment, which you can utilize to successfully fight this health condition.
Pre-diabetes is characterized by higher than normal fasting blood glucose levels which are 100 to 125 mg/dl (5.
5 to 7 mmol/l).
You will also hear it called by other names like insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome.
Basically your body cannot maintain normal blood sugar levels.
Once your health care provider suspects that you have this condition, you will be assessed based on:
Questions on your medical history will include low birth weight, gestational diabetes for women and family history.
These are necessary as people who were born weighing less than 5.
5lbs (2.
5 kg), and women who have had gestational diabetes are at a higher risk of developing diabetes later in life.
More important is it appears to be passed down through generations, so learning all you can about your family's medical history is vital.
Pre-diabetes is also known as a "silent" disease.
You can, however, tell your health care provider of symptoms such as extreme tiredness, thirst and frequent urination, constant hunger, unexplained weight loss and weight gain.
Some of the more evident symptoms are:
You have a positive diagnosis when your results show between 100 to 125 (5.
5 to 7 mmol/l).
Fortunately, there is much you can do once you have a confirmed diagnosis of pre-diabetes.
Studies point to the fact that type 2 diabetes has developed in only a quarter of diagnosed people after 3 to 5 years.
So you can set aside your concerns over the inevitability of it affecting your life and focus instead on doing something to delay, even prevent, its onset.
You must adapt a lifestyle characterized by a healthy diet, proper exercise and rest.
This will help your body use insulin more effectively and lower your blood sugars.
If you are obese, adapt a healthy weight loss program.
If you are a junk food addict, adapt a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, wholegrain foods and fish.
Don't encourage type 2 diabetes to develop with fats and sugars! If you are under stress, manage it well, stress increases your blood sugar levels.
All of these lifestyle changes are in your control and for your own good; there really is no excuse to avoid doing them! Add together the advice and guidance of your health care provider, your willingness to follow a healthy lifestyle and learning all you can about type 2 diabetes, and you can beat it!
It is important to acquire information about type 2 diabetes and what action you should take to prevent it's development.
After all, knowledge is empowerment, which you can utilize to successfully fight this health condition.
Pre-diabetes is characterized by higher than normal fasting blood glucose levels which are 100 to 125 mg/dl (5.
5 to 7 mmol/l).
You will also hear it called by other names like insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome.
Basically your body cannot maintain normal blood sugar levels.
Once your health care provider suspects that you have this condition, you will be assessed based on:
- your medical history
- physical examination
- fasting blood glucose testing and, if your results are borderline, will be followed by
- an oral glucose tolerance test
Questions on your medical history will include low birth weight, gestational diabetes for women and family history.
These are necessary as people who were born weighing less than 5.
5lbs (2.
5 kg), and women who have had gestational diabetes are at a higher risk of developing diabetes later in life.
More important is it appears to be passed down through generations, so learning all you can about your family's medical history is vital.
Pre-diabetes is also known as a "silent" disease.
You can, however, tell your health care provider of symptoms such as extreme tiredness, thirst and frequent urination, constant hunger, unexplained weight loss and weight gain.
Some of the more evident symptoms are:
- recurring infections of the skin and gums
- bladder and vaginal infections
- slow healing of small cuts and bruises
You have a positive diagnosis when your results show between 100 to 125 (5.
5 to 7 mmol/l).
Fortunately, there is much you can do once you have a confirmed diagnosis of pre-diabetes.
Studies point to the fact that type 2 diabetes has developed in only a quarter of diagnosed people after 3 to 5 years.
So you can set aside your concerns over the inevitability of it affecting your life and focus instead on doing something to delay, even prevent, its onset.
You must adapt a lifestyle characterized by a healthy diet, proper exercise and rest.
This will help your body use insulin more effectively and lower your blood sugars.
If you are obese, adapt a healthy weight loss program.
If you are a junk food addict, adapt a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, wholegrain foods and fish.
Don't encourage type 2 diabetes to develop with fats and sugars! If you are under stress, manage it well, stress increases your blood sugar levels.
All of these lifestyle changes are in your control and for your own good; there really is no excuse to avoid doing them! Add together the advice and guidance of your health care provider, your willingness to follow a healthy lifestyle and learning all you can about type 2 diabetes, and you can beat it!
Source...