Type 2 Diabetes: What Can You Do to Delay or Prevent It?
According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), over 20 million adults and children are living with diabetes, and another 54 million are affected by pre-diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is the most common type (between 90-95% of all diabetes cases) and is often referred to as adult-onset diabetes. It occurs when the body can no longer process insulin properly, which may lead to hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia.
The ADA has issued new guidelines lowering the glucose level range for what is considered pre-diabetes and diabetes and recommends all adults over the age of 45 have their blood sugar screened every three years.
According to Foundations of Wellness, following the ADA guidelines will lead to an increase in early diagnosis and either prevention of symptoms or minimizing any lasting effects, including heart disease, hypertension, stroke, foot and/or skin conditions, and kidney failure.
"The new guidelines:
- If you are 45 or over, you should be tested every three years.
- You should be tested earlier and more frequently if you:
- are obese (more than 20% above healthy body weight). The obesity rate has risen dramatically during the past two decades and now includes one-third of Americans.
- have a parent or sibling with diabetes.
- are black, Hispanic, or Native American, or belong to another high-risk ethnic group.
- gave birth to a baby weighing more than nine pounds, or developed gestational diabetes during pregnancy.
- have high blood pressure (140/90 or higher).
- have an HDL ("good") cholesterol level of 35 or below and/or a blood triglyceride level of 250 or higher."
In order to prevent or delay the onset of Type 2 Diabetes, Medical News Today suggests lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet and continual exercise.
Previously, in the D.C. Metro Area Medical Malpractice Blog, we have posted articles relating to: