Are you Prediabetic?
Are You Prediabetic?
Understanding the Early Warning Signs.
Did you know that many people are unaware of their prediabetic status? It's a concerning issue that needs our attention. Back in 2011, Dr. Oz delivered a warning on CBS News, comparing the prevalence of diabetes to where breast cancer stood 25 years prior. The message is clear: prediabetes is a serious condition that demands our attention.
Being prediabetic means having higher-than-normal blood sugar levels. If you find yourself frequently indulging in sweet treats like pastries, donuts, soft drinks, candy, or bread, it might be time to assess your prediabetic risk. Although your blood sugar levels may not qualify as type 2 diabetes just yet, without making lifestyle changes, you could be at a high risk of developing it.
The damage caused by diabetes can be long-term and impact your heart, blood vessels, and kidneys. The good news is that progression from prediabetes to type 2 diabetes is not inevitable—it's reversible.
By incorporating healthy eating habits, regular physical activity, and maintaining a healthy weight, you can bring your blood sugar levels back to normal. Start by reducing your intake of high-sugar foods like bread, cakes, pastries, sodas, rice, and pasta. The same lifestyle changes that can prevent type 2 diabetes in adults can also help normalize blood sugar levels in children. The catch is that prediabetes usually doesn't come with any noticeable signs or symptoms.
Remember Benjamin Franklin's famous saying, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure". Taking preventive measures today can save you from more significant health challenges in the future.
So, how do you know if you've transitioned from prediabetes to type 2 diabetes?
Here are some signs and symptoms to watch out for:
- Increased thirst
- Frequent urination
- Increased hunger
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Numbness or tingling in the feet or hands
- Frequent infections
- Slow-healing sores
- Unintended weight loss
How to Stop and Reverse Prediabets
Certain risk factors increase the likelihood of developing prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. Let's take a look at some of them:
Weight: Being overweight significantly raises the risk of prediabetes. The more fatty tissue you have, especially around the abdomen, the more resistant your cells become to insulin.
Waist size: A large waist size can indicate insulin resistance. Men with waists larger than 40 inches and women with waists larger than 35 inches are at a higher risk.
Diet: Consumption of red meat, processed meat, and sugar-sweetened beverages is associated with an increased risk of prediabetes.
Inactivity: The less active you are, the greater the risk of developing prediabetes.
Age: Although diabetes can develop at any age, the risk of prediabetes increases after age 35.
Family history: Having a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes raises your risk of prediabetes.
Race or ethnicity: Certain racial and ethnic groups, such as Black, Hispanic, American Indian, and Asian American individuals, are more likely to develop prediabetes.
Gestational diabetes: If you experienced diabetes during pregnancy (gestational diabetes), both you and your child are at a higher risk of developing prediabetes.
Polycystic ovary syndrome: Women with this condition, characterized by irregular menstrual periods, excess hair growth, and obesity, have a higher risk of prediabetes.
Sleep: Obstructive sleep apnea, a condition that disrupts sleep, increases the risk of insulin resistance. Overweight or obese