Reverse Prediabetes Now!
Prediabetes is often symptomless, but if left untreated can result in type 2 diabetes. Most people don't even realize they're at risk or that by making small changes in their life can reverse prediabetes and improve their quality of life.
What is prediabetes?
Before people develop type 2 diabetes, they usually have prediabetes. In people who have prediabetes, blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to say they have diabetes. Normal “fasting blood sugar” is between 70 and 99 mg per dL. Fasting blood sugar is your blood sugar level you before you have something to eat in the morning. Fasting blood sugar between 100 and 125 mg per dL suggests prediabetes. Fasting blood sugar higher than 126 mg per dL is considered diabetes. People who have prediabetes have a high risk of eventually developing diabetes.
You are at risk for prediabetes if any of the following are true:
- You are overweight or obese.
- You have a parent, brother or sister who has diabetes.
- You had diabetes during pregnancy (called gestational diabetes) or had a baby who weighed more than 9 pounds at birth.
- You belong to any of the following ethnic groups: African American, Native American, Latin American or Asian/Pacific Islander.
- You have high blood pressure (above 140/90 mm Hg).
- Your high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level (“good” cholesterol) is less than 40 mg per dL (for men) or less than 50 mg per dl (for women), or your triglyceride level is higher than 250 mg per dL.
- You are a woman who has polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
First thing you need to do is talk to your doctor!
For a proper diagnosis, a simple blood test can help and ask your doctor these questions:
- If I have prediabetes, will I get diabetes?
- What is the best step I can take to avoid getting diabetes?
- My father has diabetes. Should I be screened for prediabetes on a regular basis?
- I have diabetes. Should I have my children screened for prediabetes?
- I had gestational diabetes. Should I be screened for prediabetes regularly?
- Are there any foods I should eat that will help me to avoid prediabetes?
- Should I speak with a dietitian about changing what I eat?
Prevention
If I have prediabetes, what can I do to avoid developing diabetes?
- Eat more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish, beans, poultry and other meats
- Exercise, get up and get moving
- Lose 5 to 7 percent of your body weight
- Know your carbs and plan your meals
- Don’t eat a lot of processed foods or sweeteners such as sugar, honey, maple syrup, agave syrup, or molasses.
- Eat foods made with whole grains instead of white flour.
Treatment
Can medicine help prevent or delay diabetes?
Diabetes medicines are not as effective as diet and exercise. However, your doctor might prescribe medicine if you are at high risk for diabetes and have other medical problems, such as obesity, a high triglyceride level, a low HDL cholesterol level or high blood pressure.
Take Away
Whatever you do, don’t ignore prediabetes. Be proactive and take charge of your health. Make changes to your lifestyle and work with your doctor to help control your blood sugar. You’ll feel better, and you’ll help prevent diabetes.
Note: The content in these blogs should not be taken over advice of your care provider. As always, in the event of an emergency find care immediately.