Your Best Self Blog

Are You at Risk for Prediabetes?

BY: Susan Crandell

These days, most people know that a diabetes diagnosis is serious, with all kinds of potentially deadly complications. Yet if they learn they have prediabetes -- when blood sugar levels are too high but not quite high enough to be diabetic -- they often think, “Well, I’ll do something about that … eventually.”

That’s a big mistake, experts say. Of the 2 million Australians and half a million New Zealanders who have prediabetes (blood glucose level between 100 and 125 mg/dL), many will go on to develop diabetes within 10 years.

But prediabetes also poses significant health risks right now, almost doubling your risk of cardiovascular disease, reports Diabetes Australia. What’s more, as you move toward a true diabetes diagnosis, the odds of developing other health issues -- from vision problems to dental disasters -- increase.

Prediabetes: Are You at Risk?
You’re considered to be at higher risk for prediabetes if you’re older than 45, are overweight or obese, have a family history of Type 2 diabetes, or have high blood pressure or cholesterol. Symptoms may include a frequent desire to urinate, blurred vision, or a feeling of fatigue. But they may come on so gradually that you may not even notice. Often, there are no symptoms at all.

Talk to your doctor about getting tested. A prediabetes diagnosis is an early warning sign, and many people can prevent the development of diabetes and even reverse the condition entirely.

Whether you have been diagnosed with prediabetes or not, there are plenty of things you can do to maintain healthy blood sugar levels and prevent diabetes in the future:

1. Eat well and exercise. Eat a diet that’s high in fibre, whole grains, veggies and fruit, and get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity five times a week according to Diabetes New Zealand. Recent studies show that a regular fitness program (30 minutes a day) and a 5 percent reduction in weight are more effective in warding off diabetes than drugs are.
    
2. Defy obesity. If you’re overweight, drop some kilos. Losing just 5-7 percent of your body weight can be significant, according to researchers.
3. Seek the right treatment. If you already have cardiovascular disease, fatty liver disease or polycystic ovary syndrome, you may need treatment with diabetes drugs.
4. Mind your oral care. Floss twice a day and brush for a full two minutes, says Martin. Also, see your dentist regularly and get your teeth cleaned at least twice a year to remove plaque, which can cause gum disease and tooth decay. “We know that improving your oral health helps control diabetes,” adds Martin.

Have a question for our experts? Ask it @OralCareHealth (Australia & New Zealand)