Prediabetes in America
79 Million Americans Have Prediabetes, and Most Do Not Know It!
Prediabetes is a condition in which the blood sugar is higher than normal but not high enough to meet the criteria for Diabetes Type II. Unless this condition is detected, a person with Prediabetes will never know that his insulin is not working properly. Even though the beta cells of his pancreas will be working overtime to produce very high amounts of insulin in order to maintain normal blood sugars, he will not have any symptoms. Most people with Prediabetes will develop Diabetes type 2 within a 10-year time frame if they do not adopt lifestyle changes. (It takes about that long for their beta cells to wear out from the stress of having to produce so much extra insulin.) About 11% of people with Prediabetes develop overt diabetes every year. People with Prediabetes face 2-3 times the risk of heart attacks and strokes compared to those without it, and if and when they become diabetic, these risks increase further.
Which third of American adults are most likely to have Prediabetes? Risk factors for this condition include excessive weight-especially excessive abdominal fat-lack of exercise; being over 45 years old; having a family history of diabetes; having had diabetes when pregnant (gestational diabetes) or giving birth to a large baby; having Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; sleeping less than five and a half hours per night; having high blood pressure; and having an abnormal cholesterol panel. The American Diabetes Association recommends testing for all people with these risk factors. The recommended tests include a fasting sugar level, a glucose tolerance test, or a hemoglobin A1C. If you have any of these risk factors, please discuss conducting testing with your health care provider.
Kamagra Australia
Despite the gruesome statistics, there is some good news. Progression from Prediabetes to overt diabetes is not inevitable. The two primary risk factors, namely excess weight and lack of exercise, may be corrected. A person with Prediabetes who will commit to eating healthy food, increasing his or her physical activity, and losing weight may reduce his or her risk of developing frank diabetes by 60% over a 10 year period. Many people are reluctant to adopt a healthy diet because they believe it is expensive, challenging, and unpalatable. However, anyone can learn how to prepare delicious, healthy food appropriate for a person with Prediabetes or diabetes that the entire family may enjoy. If you are unsure how to shop for appropriate ingredients or how to prepare this type of a meal, there are plenty of resources.
