A prediabetes diagnosis is a wake-up call, as you still have an opportunity to take direct action to help prevent or delay the development of type 2 diabetes. An expert offers tips to keep in mind in the summer.
There are things in life we love to see rising: helium balloons, your bank account… but none of us want to see our blood sugar levels rising. If your levels get too high, your doctor may indicate that you have prediabetes.
But what do you do with such a situation? Fortunately, you can control or delay the diagnosis of diabetes. You can take an active role in helping manage prediabetes and manage your blood sugar with the help of a medical professional.
“The condition can be managed and brought under control”“And if your glucose levels are within the normal range, with lifestyle management, the onset of type 2 diabetes can be delayed by 3 to 4 years,” says Dr. Douglas Barbieri, medical director of Abbott’s diabetes business.
What is prediabetes?
According to the American Diabetes Association1Prediabetes means that your sugar level is above the normal range, but not high enough to indicate that you have diabetes. At least 30% of people who have prediabetes and don’t take preventive action develop type 2 diabetes—when your body doesn’t make or use insulin well—within five years. According to the latest national health survey, the prevalence of diabetes in Chile has reached 12.3% of the population.2, Diabetes mellitus is a group of diseases that affect the way the body uses glucose in the blood.3,
But you don’t need to go that way. A prediabetes diagnosis is a wake-up call, as you still have an opportunity to take direct action to help prevent prediabetes from developing into type 2 diabetes.
“Prediabetes is a condition that can be managed with the right changes to your diet and exercise regimen,” Dr. Barbieri warns.
Prediabetes or Diabetes: What’s the Difference?
In both prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, your body becomes resistant to insulin. This means that the hormone insulin is not working well enough to power your cells to get sugar (also called glucose) from your blood. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA) 4High levels of sugar in your blood can affect many parts of your body.
A medical professional may order certain blood sugar tests to determine whether you have prediabetes or actual diabetes.
Prediabetes: How To Manage It
A diagnosis of prediabetes can mean an emotional blow, but it is not something that is insurmountable. “The Positive Aspect of Diagnosis,” Dr. “It’s that you pay more attention to your health, lifestyle, and general well-being,” says Barbieri.
Doctor. Douglas Barbieri offers recommendations for controlling prediabetes and avoiding the development of diabetes:
, Consider losing 7% of your current weight. There is no need to lose a lot of weight to improve your blood sugar levels. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases5 Losing 7% of your weight can cut your risk of type 2 diabetes by 58%, according to the American Diabetes Association (NIDDKD).1, Losing weight works because it helps your body use insulin better. A healthy diet can help you lose weight if you include fruits, vegetables, lean proteins such as skinless chicken and turkey; Low-fat or fat-free foods, such as yogurt and milk, and grains such as oats, quinoa, and rice.
, start a routine of physical activity, Studies have repeatedly shown the effect of exercise on blood sugar. A review published in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health6 (Journal of Physical Activity and Health) found that people with prediabetes who started a physically active life were able to slow the progression of the disease. The ADA says that brisk walks or moderate exercise, such as swimming or bicycling, can help lower blood sugar levels.7, Consider getting at least 30 minutes of exercise five days a week, remembering that not all exercise is right for everyone. Before doing physical activity, Dr. Douglas Barbieri recommends checking with a medical professional about how much and what type of exercise is right for you.
Facing an impending diagnosis of type 2 diabetes can be frustrating, but before you let negative feelings overwhelm you, channel your energy into making changes that will improve your health. If you have a support system and valid information, you can actively work towards living a better and healthier life.
reference:
1. American Diabetes Association. Understanding A1C. diagnosis. https://diabetes.org/diabetes/a1c/diagnosis
2. Ministry of Health, Government of Chile. National Health Survey. Fifth note of musical scale. 41. https://www.minsal.cl/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/ENS-2016-17_PRIMEROS-RESULTADOS.pdf
3. Mayo Clinic. diabetes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/es-es/diseases-conditions/diabetes/symptoms-causes/syc-20371444#:~:text=La%20diabetes%20mellitus%20se%20refiere,fuente%20de%20combustible%20del %20Cerebro.
4. American Diabetes Association. Type 2 Diabetes: Type 2 diabetes does not end life. https://diabetes.org/diabetes/type-2
5. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Preventing Type 2 Diabetes. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/preventing-type-2-diabetes
6. Jadhav, R.A. Hazari, A. Monteiro, A. Kumar, S. Maia, AG. Effects of physical activity interventions in prediabetes: a systematic review with meta‐analysis. J Phys Act Health. 2017 Sep;14(9):745-755. DOI: 10.1123/jpah.2016-0632. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28422560/
7. American Diabetes Association. Weekly exercise goal. https://diabetes.org/diabetes/type-2
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