The occurrences of type 2 diabetes are increasing at an alarming rate. However, you do not have to be the next victim. If you know what to look for, you can spot the warning signs that you are at risk, and take steps to ward off diabetes.
Make sure you know the early warning signs that signal that you are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. There are several standard risk factors for type 2 diabetes. Some of these include being overweight or obese, having a history of gestational diabetes and having diabetic family members. Also, certain medical conditions increase your risk. These include high blood pressure, impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance and polycystic ovary syndrome. Your age, activity level and ethnic background can also be factors.
If you discover that you are at risk, visit your doctor for a screening, and repeat these screenings regularly. Your doctor will want to check your fasting blood sugar (glucose). He may also order an oral glucose tolerance test. If either of these test results are borderline, he will likely repeat the tests in three to six months. If these numbers still come back at abnormal levels, you may even receive a diagnosis of pre-diabetes.
One of the first and most important steps to take is to reduce your weight. Losing even a relatively small amount of weight can dramatically reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Dropping as little as 10 pounds can make the difference between becoming diabetic or warding off diabetes.
Make regular, moderate exercise a part of your daily life. Start out by just taking short walks each day. The key to improving your body’s ability to manage glucose and insulin is to exercise regularly, every single day. This regularity is infinitely more important than having a vigorous workout. Adding a daily walk after your noon or evening meal can do a world of good for your blood sugar control.
Reduce the number of carbohydrates you consume each day. The bigger your carbohydrate load at one time, the more difficulty your system will have processing all that at once. If you give your body your carbs a little bit at a time throughout the day, that reduces the strain on the pancreas and the insulin production can keep up with the load.
Make changes gradually, so that they become a permanent lifestyle change. It is vital that you stick to all of these steps you take in order for them to continue protecting you throughout your lifetime. Take one step at a time, and add the next one after the first one has become a natural part of your daily routine.
If you find you are at risk for type 2 diabetes, or if your doctor says you are pre-diabetic, your first reaction is likely to be fear. However, this information really gives you a fighting chance to make changes in your life that can ward off diabetes. Take the steps outlined in this article to give yourself the best chance of living a life free of diabetes and its complications.