SHARES
When Jay went to her doctor, all she had was a sense of not feeling well. “I don’t feel bad, and I don’t feel great,” she told him. “Something’s off!”
Lab tests showed elevated liver enzymes and higher than normal fasting blood glucose levels. The English teacher and writing professor learned she suffered from prediabetes. She was not yet 30.
Jay has plenty of company.
An epidemic that should’ve never been.
Prediabetes affects 1 in 3 people but what’s even more surprising is the lack of awareness on the subject. Statistics indicate that only 9% of the global population is truly aware of this growing phenomena.
What is Prediabetes?
Simply put, it’s a wake-up call that you’re on the path to diabetes. Although, don’t be disheartened as it’s not too late to switch lanes. While your blood sugar may be higher than usual, it still has not fallen in the “diabetic” range.
Commonly associated with metabolic problems and obesity, if left untreated may result in some pretty troubling health issues. Additionally, excess sugar in the blood may cause one’s vessels to act differently. Consequently, increasing the odds of a heart attack and even a stroke.
Who Is At Risk?
A generally accepted theory suggested people get their blood sugar tested if they were over the age of 45, overweight and had a family history of diabetes. The risk factors identified by the American Diabetes Association include :
- Weight
- Low physical activity
- Family history
- Race/ethnicity (higher risks among eg South Asia ethnicity)
- Age
- Gestational Diabetes
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
Is There A Way Out?
A three-part strategy can prevent many people from ever progressing to full-blown diabetes. Furthermore, if you look carefully, prediabetes ensues when we lead a sedentary lifestyle. Predominately focusing on the food we eat and how much exercise we get – prevention is in our hands.
The three-part strategy used encompasses modest weight loss, healthy eating and increased physical activity like walking for 30 mins a day. Similarly, a large study called the Diabetes Prevention Program demonstrated the efficacy of this strategy and further elaborated the three important components :
- Weight Control: If you’re overweight, you have an increased chance of turning diabetic later on. Losing as little as 5%- 10 % of your body can make a significant difference.
- Exercise: Seems like this one thing we’re constantly stressing. Studies show that moderate exercise can help prevent and manage. For only 30 mins a day, you have the opportunity to change the consequence of this condition.
- Nutrition: Go for meals that mix low-fat protein, vegetables, and whole grains. Limit calories, serving sizes, sugar, and starchy carbohydrates.
Conclusion
All in all, being vigilant and attentive to the signs on what your body tells you pays dividends in safeguarding your health. Above all, prediabetes is a clear warning sign of a potential life long trouble ahead unless you take deliberate prevention steps. Also, to stay on track with your health regular checkups is a definite must!
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by Yashwini Ravindranath
Born & raised in Malaysia, Yashwini earned her M.D. studying in Moscow's Russian National Research Medical University. With an affiliation towards research, all things coffee and the startup ecosystem, she now contributes articles to GetDocSays View all articles by Yashwini Ravindranath.
