Before people develop Type 2 diabetes, a condition called pre-diabetes usually takes place. Interestingly, this condition arrives gradually but usually without warning. There may be no signs of it or the signs are so insignificant that no one pays attention. However, if you are 45 years or older, pay attention, because that is the age when problems with blood sugar control usually begin.

Also known as impaired glucose intolerance by the medical profession, prediabetes is a term that refers to the 41 million people I the U.S. who have blood glucose levels higher than normal but not high enough to be classified as diabetes.

Recognizing the importance of diagnosing pre-diabetes because  treatment of the condition may prevent type 2 diabetes as well as all those complications associated with type 2 diabetes. Doctors now know that the complications associated with prediabetes, such as heart and blood vessel disease and eye and kidney disease, take place before the diabetes diagnosis is made.

You are at risk for developing Type 2 Diabetes if you fall within one of these categories:

  • Have a family history of type 2 diabetes;
  • You are a woman who had gestational diabetes or had a baby weighing more than  9 pounds;
  • You are a woman with polycystic ovary syndrome PCOS;
  • You are African American, Native American, Latino, or Pacific Islander, minority groups that are more affected by diabetes;
  • You are overweight or obese especially around the abdomen;
  • You have high cholesterol, high triglycerides and high blood pressure;
  • You are inactive;
  • You are over 70 because as people age they are less able to process glucose the right way.

Treatment for pre diabetes

  • Eat a healthy diet and lose weight

A 5 percent to 10 percent reduction in weight makes a huge difference.

  • Exercise at least 30 minutes for 5 days a week. You can split the activity up into shorter periods. Select an activity you enjoy so you will stay with the exercise.
  • Stop smoking.

Treat high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

In other words, choose a healthy lifestyle and stay with it.

I’d love to learn about your ways that you deal with your sugar problems especially if they work well for you. I’d like to share them with our readers. Scroll down to the blank window and write your suggestion in the blank window.
Thanks for your participation.

To your success at healthy aging.

Ruthan Brodsky

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Filed under: Conditions and Diseases

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