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Pre-Diabetes- A Window to Prevent Full-Blown Diabetes

Pre-Diabetes- A Window to Prevent Full-Blown Diabetes

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Prediabetes is also known as impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glucose. It usually affects adults between the ages of 40 and 60 years old.

Highlights:
  • Prediabetes increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke
  • Prediabetes may have no symptoms and can go undetected for years
  • Simple lifestyle changes, such as losing weight and exercising regularly, can help prevent or delay the progression of prediabetes to type 2 diabetes
Prediabetes is defined as having blood sugar levels that are higher than normal. The disease increases a person's chances of developing type 2 diabetes. However, there may be natural treatments to reverse prediabetes.
Individuals can normalize their blood sugar and reverse prediabetes by losing excess weight and exercising regularly. Other approaches, such as stress reduction and improved sleep, may also be beneficial.

It's true. It's quite common. Most critically, it can be reversed. Simple, proven lifestyle changes can prevent or delay the progression of prediabetes to type 2 diabetes (1 Trusted Source
Prediabetes - Your Chance to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes

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).

It's hard to believe, but one in every three American people has prediabetes. Furthermore, more than 80% of people with prediabetes are unaware of their condition. Could you be the one? Continue reading to learn the facts and what you can do to stay healthy.

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Diabetes Is Serious Business

Don't be fooled by the word "pre". Diabetes is a significant medical condition. People with prediabetes have higher blood sugar levels than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes. Prediabetes increases your chances of acquiring type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

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Prediabetes Is Hard to Recognize

Prediabetes can be present for years without causing symptoms. As a result, you may not realize you have prediabetes until major health concerns arise. If you have any of the following risk factors for prediabetes, talk to your doctor about getting your blood sugar tested:
  • Being overweight is a problem
  • Being 45 years of age or older
  • Having a type 2 diabetes parent, brother, or sibling
  • Being physically active no more than three times each week
Have you ever had gestational diabetes (pregnancy diabetes) or given birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds?

Race and ethnicity also play a role. African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, American Indians, Pacific Islanders, and some Asian Americans are more likely to be affected.

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Diabetes is More Difficult to Manage Than Prediabetes

Prediabetics are more likely to develop heart disease and stroke. Diabetes patients are at increased risk for major health concerns.

Diabetes affects all of the body's major organs. Diabetes frequently leads to significant problems such as renal failure, blindness, and nerve damage. A nerve injury might result in the surgical removal of a toe, foot, or limb. Diabetes can also increase the risk of depression. This risk rises as more diabetes-related health issues emerge. All of these factors can have a significant impact on one's quality of life.

Prevent Diabetes by Managing Pre-Diabetes

Consider prediabetes to be a fork in the road. If you ignore it, your risk of developing type 2 diabetes rises. Reduce your risk by losing a little weight and engaging in frequent physical activity. Small weight loss is defined as 5% to 7% of body weight, or 10 to 14 pounds for a 200-pound person. The regular physical activity consists of at least 150 minutes of brisk walking or other equivalent activity each week. It only takes 30 minutes a day, five days a week.

The CDC-led National Diabetes Prevention Programme (National DPP) can assist patients in making the necessary lifestyle adjustments to prevent or postpone type 2 diabetes. Participants in the program:
  • Diabetes is difficult to manage compared to prediabetes
  • Diabetes increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. Diabetes sufferers are at a higher risk of serious health problems
Diabetes affects all of the major organs of the body. Diabetes frequently causes serious complications such as kidney failure, blindness, and nerve damage. A nerve injury may necessitate the surgical removal of a toe, foot, or limb.

Diabetes might also raise one's chances of developing depression. As additional diabetes-related health complications surface, so does this risk. All of these variables can have a substantial impact on one's overall happiness.

Reference:
  1. Prediabetes – Your Chance to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes - (https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/prediabetes.html)


Source-Medindia


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