Pre-diabetic? Do not panic, be disciplined.

Pre-diabetes is a state of the body where the blood sugar is higher than the normal levels but not high enough to be considered as diabetes.

This condition can be regarded as a cautionary sign thrown up by the body to prepare us to be more judicious with our lifestyle preferences. There is a risk of inheriting diabetes from the immediate family members.

With a diabetic family history one’s risk of acquiring the condition is 10 to 20 times higher than the regular people. However, people whose mothers are diabetic are at a lower risk of developing the condition than the people whose fathers are diabetic.

Ideally in most of the cases diabetes doesn’t occur overnight like many other diseases such as bacterial or viral infections. It is a condition where, if not inherited, can be acquired owing to sedentary lifestyle preferences.

Pre-diabetes is the gradual onset of a condition where the production of insulin in the pancreas is slowed down thus not enabling the conversion of glucose into energy.

Consequently the glucose remains in the blood resulting in higher blood glucose levels. This impairs all the organs in the body and progressively deters their regular functioning.

Pre-diabetes is not an unconquerable situation. Prompt diagnosis of the condition with immediate corrective actions in practice can save an individual from becoming a diabetic from being a pre-diabetic. A systematic approach needs to be adopted especially if there is a family history of diabetes.

Periodically, lab tests should be done at least once in six months to evaluate the situation. A blood test called ‘Fasting Plasma Glucose Test’ is done to examine the blood sugar levels.

This test can be observed only after 10 to 12 hours of overnight fasting to get the correct picture. The result of anything less than 100mg/dl is considered to be normal whereas a result of anything between 100 to 125 mg/dl is declared as pre-diabetes.

If one knows that he or she is a pre-diabetic, swift measures should be taken to avoid further progression of the condition into an irreversible ailment. What exactly does one needs to do?

As it is known that sedentary lifestyle preferences leads to pre-diabetes, the first and foremost areas to be worked upon is the daily routine.

An aggressive approach needs to be established in setting up our daily routine which includes a combination of the right foods with the right amount of physical exercise and disciplined sleep routines.

What could be the right food? Going on crash diets doesn’t help as weight is not the only problem that we are targeting. It is the body’s capability of turning whatever we eat into spendable energy which in turn could nourish our entire system. The key is inclusion of all types of foods but in moderation.

Adequate servings of fats, carbohydrates, proteins and vitamins are vital through the day.  Sweets, processed and semi processed foods have to be had sparingly. At least eight glasses of water is imperative in a day. For a more specific meal plan a certified nutritionist should be visited.

Next comes incorporating physical exercise in the day. A minimum of 3 days in a week should have a workout regime of at least 30 to 40 minutes per day.

It is suggested that inclusion of any light physical activity that improves use of energy might result in a better conversion rate of glucose into energy as compared to rigorous exercises.

It is to be borne in mind that getting rid of this condition is easy only if the apt evaluative and corrective measures are followed with discipline.

Medical Disclaimer: The information and reference materials contained here are intended solely for the general information of the reader. Patients and consumers should review the information carefully with their professional health care provider. The information is not intended to replace medical advice offered by physicians. You should consult your physician before beginning a new diet, nutritional or fitness program.