Ways to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes

It is no secret that type 2 diabetes is a rising problem in the United States.  Every day more and more Americans are diagnosed with this chronic condition.  Unfortunately, many people believe that this condition can simply be fixed by taking medications, but in reality it is much more serious that that.  Type 2 diabetes can wreck havoc on the body.  This disease causes nerve damage, diabetic retinopathy, poor wound healing and kidney damage. It is a leading cause of chronic kidney disease, kidney failure, amputations and blindness.  Type 2 diabetes is a serious medical condition that must be taken seriously by people of all ages. Due to the devastating effects that this condition has on the body, it is essential that Americans educate themselves about this disorder and to make serious efforts to prevent it.

Contrary to popular belief, preventing type 2 diabetes is not impossible. Just because a parent or sibling was diagnosed, does not automatically mean that you will develop it too.  Although genetics do play a role in the development of this disease, it is not the only factor.  Diet, activity level and weight play a huge role in this condition.  Factors that influence the onset of type 2 diabetes include:

• Obesity: Obesity seems to be the greatest risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes.  The majority of these patients are overweight.  Interestingly, many patients can improve their blood sugars, and even normalize them, through weight loss.  Maintaining a healthy weight is an excellent way to reduce your risk of diabetes and prevent high glucose and a1c blood test readings.
• Diet: The American diet is extremely taxing on the insulin producing pancreas. Elevated blood sugars stress the insulin producing cells of the pancreas and lead to their failure. When insulin is not produced, high blood sugars result. Fruits, vegetables and whole grain foods make healthy choices and are perfect diabetic snack ideas.
• Exercise:  Exercise keeps the entire body healthy.  Exercise doesn’t always have to be an hour at the gym and it doesn’t have to be complicated. A simple bike ride or walk with your dog can help burn calories and get the metabolism going.  Choosing ways to get moving are easy ways to boost metabolism and burn calories.  Finding just a few simple steps to be more active are perfect ways to prevent diabetes.
• Screening: Often overlooked, but high important, routine screening for diabetes is essential for picking up type 2 diabetes early on.  By seeing your doctor annually you can have fasting testing that can signal problems.  Patients with type 2 diabetes often have elevated blood sugars for many years before they are diagnosed.  Through routine blood work it is possible for your doctor to detect pre-diabetes.  This means that blood sugar readings are elevated, but not high enough to be diagnostic for type 2 diabetes. It is at this stage that patients have the greatest chance of using lifestyle changes to prevent progression to type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes can’t be cured but it can be prevented through lifestyle changes.  Changing your daily food intake and activities takes dedication but it isn’t difficult if you implement changes slowly.  Take small steps to improve your health and you’ll be rewarded with a lifetime free of diabetic complications.