7 life-changing steps to prevent diabetes
Hindustan Bytes 
Diabetes is one of the most common diseases in the world and is a major cause of death. It is a very expensive disease and a burden to our health system. Diabetes is a disease that needs to be prevented, since it is treatable if caught early. There are different types of diabetes and some can be hereditary and others can be caused due to over consumption of food that is rich in carbohydrates.
Knowledge is power
Knowledge is power. The more you know about diabetes and its warning signals, the better you’ll be able to control it. New research shows that learning and adhering to a healthy lifestyle can help control diabetes, even if you have to take medication.
Eat a healthy breakfast
If you’re looking for a way to boost your health, you may want to start with your breakfast. While it may seem insignificant, that first meal of the day can impact your overall health. One of the best times to eat a healthy breakfast is first thing in the morning. This can help improve your memory, reduce your risk of heart disease and promote weight loss.
Eat your vegetables
If you’re suffering from diabetes, you may have been told to eat more vegetables. You probably know they are good for you and they can help with your diabetes. That’s why it’s so important to include them in your diet. If you don’t want to cook, you can always order a healthy meal at a local restaurant. The great thing about vegetables is that they come in a variety of flavors and textures.
Get enough sleep
Sleep is one of the most important things that we do. It’s healthy for us, and it’s necessary for our bodies to function properly. Lack of sleep can have serious consequences, including causing us to gain weight, making us less alert, and causing us to develop health problems such as diabetes.
Exercise regularly
Diabetes is a serious condition that requires the patient to follow a strict diet and exercise regularly. Exercise is important because it helps control blood glucose levels (sugar levels). It also helps you maintain a healthy weight.
Limit your salt intake
If you have diabetes, you need to be aware of your salt intake. The sodium in salt can cause high blood pressure. High blood pressure can put stress on the heart and kidneys, which may make it more difficult for them to function effectively. The kidneys will also have trouble getting rid of excess fluid when there is too much sodium in the blood.
Limit the amount of sugar you consume
The human body needs sugar to function properly, but consuming too much sugar has been linked to many health problems. If you have diabetes, it’s important to limit the amount of sugar you consume each day. The American Heart Association recommends that people who want to prevent diabetes limit their intake of added sugars to no more than 100 calories (25 grams) per day.
What is Pre-diabetes?
One of the most important steps to preventing diabetes is...Which everybody of us tend to miss...Is testing for diabetes. Confused? How can diabetes testing play an important role in preventing diabetes?
Before people develop type 2 diabetes, they almost always have pre-diabetes blood glucose levels that are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.
Doctors sometimes refer to pre-diabetes as impaired glucose tolerance (|GT) or impaired fasting glucose (FG), depending on what test was used when it was detected. This condition puts you at a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
*Important Thing: There are no clear symptoms of Pre-diabetes*
Only way to know it is, to test regularly. Ideally if you are pre diabetic or diabetic, it is recommended to check sugar levels and HBA1C (Average of last 3 months sugar) every 3 months. In case of normal levels, testing should be done every 6 months.
About Dr. Poorva Chaudhary (MD)
She is a Consultant Pathologist and Lab Director at Swanand Pathology Laboratory, Dombivli, an ISO and NABL ACCREDITED LABORATORY. She has completed her M.D. (Post Graduation after M.B.B.S) IN PATHOLOGY from Prestigious Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College, Sion, Mumbai. She has total 8 years of experience in the field of Pathology with special interest in Hematology, Cytology and Histopathology.
