Pre Diabetes

Pre-Diabetes

Now being termed the “Pre Diabetic Epidemic”
This condition is sweeping North America and is the jumping off point for the 6th leading cause of death in the USA, diabetes, the 7th in Canada. Who is at risk? Well pretty much everyone, including children.
Before being diagnosed with Type Two Diabetes most people almost always have Pre Diabetes. The “Pre” simply means that your Blood Glucose Levels are higher then the norm, but not high enough to actually be diagnosed as Diabetic. It seems like a state of limbo, waiting for the ball to drop, but what it is, is actually the call to action. Now is the time for prevention. The sad thing here is most take it seriously with the initial stage of shock, beginning to taking better care of them by watching food intake, eating better meals, starting an exercise routine and then, like a New Year’s Resolution…it fades away. When old habits take over again, an insidious breeding ground for Type Two Diabetes has found a home in you.
Being Pre Diabetic doesn’t mean that you’re out of the woods for risks and complications so do take it seriously. Research has shown that there can be long term damage that can be occurring in this stage. Your heart and circulatory system is a prime target to its damage.

Are you at risk?

Since Pre Diabetes is what normally occurs before Type Two, the risk factors and symptoms are for the most part the same. With this in mind, ingest as much of the Type Two information that you can find. Remember that awareness and knowledge are your key prevention and better health.

Risk factors include:

-Being a member of a high risk population that is Hispanic, Asian, and South American or of African descent.
-Being overweight, abdominal obesity or obese
-Existing health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol
-Having had Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
-Existing complications of Diabetes such as nerve or kidney damage as well as eye troubles.
-Having a first degree relative with diabetes.

If you do fall into any of the above risk factors it will be important to seek advice from your doctor alerting them of your history and getting a proper checkup. Pre Diabetes is the Hallmark of Type Two Diabetes and having a cluster of risk factors, signs and symptoms make it easily distinguishable to your doctor who can order
The correct tests.

The symptoms are the classic red flags that present themselves with Type Two. They include:

-Constant hunger
-Unexplained weight loss
-Weight gain
-Flu like symptoms
-Fatigue
-Weakness
-Blurred vision
-Slow healing cuts
-Excessive thirst
-Excessive urination
-Reoccurring gum or skin infections
-Reoccurring vaginal or bladder infections

Piece of mind may come with knowing that Pre Diabetes doesn’t always have to progress. It is actually more in your own control then you might realize. This can give you piece of mind; you may have the power to actually revert it! Blood Glucose Levels can be reduced simply through lifestyle alterations. With the right changes in place you can change the path of not only developing Type Two, but as well lowering other metabolic syndromes such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and triglycerides and being over weight.

Getting tested

Here’s where your grades count!! Diagnosis is determined by two different tests that are normally done in the morning before you have eaten.

The tests are:

1) a fasting plasma glucose test
2) Oral glucose tolerance test

Both tests measure whether you have a normal metabolism or are pre diabetic or diabetic.
More than a mouthful!

So much has been said about our current eating habits, the way foods are processed and the raising and cultivation of our foods. It seems like an endless battle to try to stay on top of it and actually eat good healthy foods. Really in a rushed and stressed society, convenience is key. How easy is it to grab a muffin, coffee, bag of potato chips or burger just to fill that gap?.
Well, it’s not as hard as you may think. If you have common sense then all it is, is an application of that. The common sense approach. Simply knowing what to avoid and even introducing a few good for you tasty things will get you well on your way to feeling better and preventing damage. Your Doctor, Nurse Educator or Dietician can provide you with the necessary tools and knowledge to help you plan your meals.
Let’s look at some common sense points to get you started in the right direction.

-Since refined sugars and Carbohydrates boost your glucose levels, avoid white breads, pastas and bakery sweets.

-Introduce fresh, natural fruits and vegetables.

-Protein power…fish, chicken and turkey are perfect.

-Concentrated sugars found in fruit juices and pops are a no no.

What to Avoid

-Foods containing Tran’s fatty acids.
-Omega 6 fatty acids found in safflower and corn oil (highly refined.)

Look into supplements that regulate Glucose and Insulin. When doing so, really research and ask questions, know what you are buying and get the best. Some of the supplements that are said to be helpful are:

-Vitamin E
-Vitamin C
-Chromium
-Silvmarin
-Alaya-Lipoic Acid