Nearly 40% of adults in the United States have prediabetes. But here’s the kicker: Most people with prediabetes don’t know they have it. Scary, right? But don’t worry, prediabetes is reversible with the right steps — like eating better, moving more, and achieving an ideal weight.
See Stuart Felzer, MD, FACP, at Premium Healthcare, LLC, in Wilmington, Delaware, for a prediabetes screening and treatment recommendations.
Prediabetes is a warning sign for developing Type 2 diabetes. Your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be classified as diabetes.
Prediabetes affects 84 million American adults, and most people don’t have any symptoms, which is why routine screening is crucial. The good news is that you can reverse prediabetes before it turns into diabetes.
Follow the simple steps below to help reverse prediabetes:
A healthy body weight index (BMI) range is 18.5-24.9. You can use a BMI calculator to determine your current BMI. If you fall into the overweight or obese category, take steps to move toward an ideal weight.
For example, eat a well-balanced diet, drink water before meals, exercise more, minimize stress, and establish a regular sleep schedule. And see Dr. Felzer for a personalized weight loss plan.
Diet plays a vital role in healthy weight management and Type 2 diabetes prevention. Eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, other healthy fats, and protein-rich foods. Consider the Mediterranean diet, a lower-carb meal plan, or a heavily plant-based diet to achieve your weight management goals.
If you’re a smoker, take the step to quit, as smoking is a risk factor for prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes. If you need assistance, consider a smoking cessation program or ask Dr. Felzer which quit-smoking medicines may be a match for you.
Studies show that exercise helps you maintain an ideal weight and lessens the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
Consistency is key. Choose workouts you enjoy and aim for at least at least 30-60 minutes of exercise most days of each week. Do a variety of workouts by combining cardiovascular exercises with resistance training.
While you can’t always avoid stressful situations, reduce them as much as possible to help reverse prediabetes. Take mental days off from work, go for a walk outdoors, or try massage, meditation, mindfulness, yoga, tai chi, or other known stress reducers.
Sleep not only energizes you physically and mentally, studies show it aids in healthy weight management.
Sleep in a quiet, cool, dark room. Establish a regular bedtime routine and allow yourself 7-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night to maximize overall health. If you struggle with obstructive sleep apnea, a prediabetes risk factor, see Dr. Felzer for treatment suggestions.
Effectively managing high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and other disease risk factors lessens the chance of prediabetes turning into Type 2 diabetes. Dr. Felzer may recommend lifestyle changes in addition to dietary supplements or medications to manage underlying medical concerns.
If lifestyle changes haven’t worked to lower your blood sugar levels, Dr. Felzer may suggest you try medications.
Prediabetes screening at Premium Health involves a simple blood test, medical evaluation, and discussion about your lifestyle habits, symptoms, and medical history. If you’re at risk of prediabetes or diabetes, see Dr. Felzer routinely for health screenings.
Schedule a prediabetes checkup at Premium Health by contacting us today.
