Identifying Pre-Diabetic Condition

World Wide Web | Identifying Pre-Diabetic Condition | Before developing the serious type 2 diabetes, a person will be in pre-diabetic stage. It is a condition with no visible symptoms, i.e., people can have it without even knowing it. If left unchecked, pre-diabetes can turn to type 2 diabetes, heart diseases, stroke etc. It can easily be identified with a test and treatment at this stage can prevent the complications.

What is diabetes?

In case of a normal person, the glucose levels in blood rises after a meal. In response to that, his body produces a hormone called insulin, which converts the blood glucose into useable energy. But in case of a diabetic, insulin is not used properly. Hence the glucose levels remain elevated. This is harmful to the body. Such a condition is known as diabetes.

People at risk!

According to studies conducted, over 50 million Americans over the age of 20 are pre-diabetic. Identifying pre-diabetic condition is difficult as it does not show any symptoms. The only way to find it is by random blood glucose tests. Early diagnosis and testing are crucial, as they can prevent it developing to type 2 diabetes.

Testing and diagnosis

The two tests commonly used for diagnosis are: fasting plasma glucose (FPG test) and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT test).

If your IFG result is less than 100 mg/dL, it indicates normal; anything between 100 to 125 mg/dL is considered pre diabetic. Any value above 125 mg/dL is treated as diabetes.

If the result of your OGTT is between 140 mg/dL and 199 mg/dL, then you are pre diabetic.

Treatment and prevention

Pre diabetic is not a dangerous situation, but it can develop to type 2 diabetes in a period of around 10 years.

To prevent it from turning to a diabetic stage you can take some simple precautionary measures

• Lose weight. In a study of more than 3,000 people with pre-diabetes, a five to seven percent weight loss lowered the incidence of type 2 diabetes by nearly 60 percent.

• Get active. Physical activity will lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes and boost you health in other ways too. Try walking 30 minutes a day, five days a week.

• Eat sensibly. Cut excess calories, sugar, saturated fat and trans fat from your diet and you will cut your risk of diabetes. Include more healthy fats, fiber, whole grains, fruits and veggies

• Quit smoking. Smokers are 50% to 90% more likely to develop diabetes than nonsmokers.

• Drink moderately. Moderate drinking (no more than one drink daily for women or two drinks daily for men) has a protective effect against diabetes, but avoid heavy drinking.

These proactive steps can help you have a better tomorrow.

Article Source: EzineArticles