PRE-DIABETES – A SERIOUS MEDICAL CONDITION

BY: FITZ-GEORGE RATTRAY

I was speaking with a new client recently, who recently discovered that she was prediabetic.  Her outlook was, I was happy to hear that nothing was wrong, after all it is only prediabetes, which is a drastic understating of what can be a life destroying condition. 

Fortunately, in part, as a new InteKai member, she is making many positive life changes which will be invaluable for her wellness, and of course, she regularly visits her physician.  Sadly, in many societies as many as 1 in 3 adults have prediabetes and 90%, or more, don’t know it, and too many of those who do, fail to see the health threat or the opportunity that early detection offers.

PREDIABETES

Prediabetes, insulin resistance, impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance, abnormal glucose, intermediate hyperglycemia, by any name it is identified by a fasting blood glucose level of 100 mg/dl or greater, but less than 126 mg/dl, the diagnostic level for diabetes. 

Often patients are told that this state “may lead to diabetes”, and it is precisely that term which lulls many to believe that everything is, in that moment, alright but it isn’t. Diabetes is the highway to suffering, disability and death, and prediabetes is the freeway to suffering disability and death.

What makes prediabetes even more dangerous is, in most cases it does not present itself with many symptoms. This makes it silent and potentially deadly.

A Study conducted at the Crittenton Medical Center revealed:

• Elevated blood sugar levels is known to impact hypertension (high blood pressure) putting prediabetics at increased risk for strokes.
• 21% of individuals with normal blood sugar levels showed signs of coronary artery disease, however, 36% of pre-diabetics showed signs of coronary artery disease; very close to the 42% percent of diabetics.
• Diabetes is known to result in the following complications which prediabetics have shown signs of developing
  • Kidney Damage (nephropathy)
  • Nerve damage (neuropathy)
  • Vision damage (retinopathy)

Prediabetes may need no intervention other than lifestyle change. This may be the actual reason that it is seldom addressed with the seriousness it deserves.  For years it has been considered by many in the medical field of developing a risk, triggering concerns of overdiagnosis and potentially stressing the patient, burdening the insurance companies and the healthcare system.  This leaves many individuals oblivious or living in complacency, often for many years and increasing their chances of developing life-threatening conditions or type 2 diabetes.

THE GOOD NEWS

Healthy lifestyle solutions can help you avoid prediabetic levels of blood sugar and can in fact, help you lower your blood sugar.

NUTRITION

Chose meals with little to no added sugars or simple carbohydrates, limited calories, low fat unprocessed proteins, vegetables and high fiber.

IRREGULAR EATING AND LARGE MEALS LIFESTYLE IS NOT OKAY

You do not have to be overweight to be prediabetic. The issue is blood sugar levels not fat levels. If you are overweight you are at an elevated risk. Even a few pounds of fat on your waistline increases your risk.  Losing as little as 10% of your bodyweight can make a difference.

ACTIVITY

At least 30 minutes of moderate exercise has been shown to prevent and manage elevated blood sugar.  Any consistent exercise is better than none.

Always remember, being consistent is more important than being intense, just move, and move consistently.

Prediabetes can develop without warning, this is why it is important to visit your doctor regularly.  Diabetes however has several warning signs, including:

• Excessive or increased thirst
• Frequent urination
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fatigue
• Blurred vision
• Headache
• Dry mouth

Visit your physician regularly, early detection and medical support is key.  Secondly, get support if needed. A nutritionist, dietician or diet coach will be an invaluable investment in the most important possessions you have, your life and your wellness.