How To Prevent Diabetes, According To A Wellness Expert

According to a study, diabetes may be the disease of the century. A recent study by The Lancet found that over 800 million adults worldwide have diabetes.

According to the study, the prevalence of diabetes worldwide was approximately 14% in 2022. In 2022, nearly 60% of adults with diabetes who were 30 years of age or older did not receive treatment.

This chronic condition has been a major global health concern, and the question of what we can do to prevent it continues to be raised.

What are the effects on health? What preventative measures are there for diabetes? How is the diagnosis made? What treatments are available if someone is diagnosed?

It is crucial to prevent diabetes rather than waiting for it to “attack you” before treating it, according to wellness expert Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician and adjunct associate professor at George Washington University.

According to Dr. Leana Wen, diabetes is a chronic condition with numerous negative health effects. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention rank it as the eighth most common cause of death in the country.

It is the leading cause of adult-onset blindness and kidney failure, according to Dr. Leana Wen. Compared to people without diabetes, those with diabetes have a two to four times higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Additionally, it is a leading cause of amputations of lower limbs.

The Doctor added that, this deadly disease is common now but some groups are at higher risk than others.

She said:

“You need to know that there are three main types of diabetes”.

It is thought that an autoimmune reaction that prevents the body from producing insulin is the cause of type 1 diabetes. The regulation of blood glucose levels depends on this hormone. Insulin must be taken daily by people with type 1 diabetes. While some cases may manifest later in life, the majority are diagnosed in childhood. Having a parent or sibling with type 1 diabetes is one risk factor. Physicians are unsure of how to stop this type of diabetes from occurring.

The most prevalent kind of diabetes is by far type 2. Type 2 diabetes accounts for between 90% and 95% of all cases in the United States. The body cannot maintain normal blood sugar levels in this form because it does not react to insulin as well.

Unlike type 1 diabetes, which typically develops quickly, type 2 diabetes generally emerges over multiple years, and many people may not know that they have it until they are tested for it.

The study found that afternoon exercise may be beneficial for people with type 2 diabetes.

Furthermore, although type 2 diabetes is usually diagnosed in adults 35 and older, more cases in younger people, including children and adolescents, have been reported in recent years. Being overweight or obese and leading a sedentary lifestyle are risk factors for type 2 diabetes.

A family history of first-degree relatives with type 2 diabetes is also a risk factor, and certain ethnic groups—such as African Americans, American Indians, Hispanics/Latinos, and Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders—are also more likely to have the disease.

Gestational diabetes, the third type of diabetes, is another risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Pregnant women who have never had the chronic disease before are diagnosed with this type.

Prevention:

It usually goes away after the birth of the child, but having gestational diabetes increases the risk of the woman later developing type 2 diabetes as well as the risk of the child developing type 2 diabetes.

Avoiding ultraprocessed foods and eating more fruits and vegetables such as a fresh salad is one way to combat the risk of developing diabetes.

Another step is to understand your risk of developing prediabetes, which is a condition that precedes being diagnosed with diabetes. Individuals at higher risk should speak with their primary care providers to see if they should be screened for diabetes and prediabetes, while individuals at lower risk should aim for healthy lifestyle choices to prevent these conditions.

These lifestyle choices include getting at least 150 minutes of physical activity a week. Those who cannot reach 150 minutes should keep in mind that some is better than none. Studies have shown that even half of the recommended amount can reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases.

Walking could also lower your risk of type 2 diabetes, and your speed may affect how much.

Everyone should work to reduce their consumption of ultraprocessed food. Aim to switch to whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes, and to cut out sugary drinks.

People uncertain about the best foods can ask their physician for a referral to speak with a nutritionist.

Keeping your weight in the healthy range also helps to reduce the risk of developing diabetes. Hypertension is twice as common in patients with diabetes compared with those without, and it’s also important to know if you have high blood pressure.

Another chronic condition that often accompanies diabetes is high cholesterol, and it’s important to know your cholesterol numbers, too.

Thankfully, the same lifestyle changes that help to reduce the risk of diabetes also help to reduce the risk of developing these other ailments that, together, raise the chance of heart attacks and strokes.

There is a link between the meat you eat and a chronic disease, according to new research

Diagnosis:

According to Dr. Wen, several different tests can help diagnose diabetes. An A1C test can measure your average blood sugar over the past few months, while blood sugar tests can be taken at random or after fasting for the night.

All of these tests are readily available and should be started, for most people, at age 35. Some individuals may need to begin earlier depending on their risk factors. Your physician can order these tests; if that has not been done, consider bringing it up during your next clinical visit.

Studying the effects of specific artificial sweeteners is a challenge in today’s world, as many soda and food manufacturers create mixtures of sweeteners to mimic sugar and make their products taste unique. So it’s hard to tease out which of the sweeteners might be a problem.

Treatment:

As per Dr. Wen, to prevent prediabetes from progressing to diabetes, individuals should aim to lose excess weight, become more active and eat healthier foods. You should also treat medical conditions like hypertension or high cholesterol that can increase diabetes risk.

Those diagnosed with diabetes should work with their medical provider to identify the best treatments for them. There are a variety of medications available, which can be adjusted based on response and side effects. And they need to continue lifestyle modifications.

Swapping soda for water and chips for fruit are great ways to lower your intake of ultraprocessed foods.

Lifestyle Changes:

“We’ve already spoken about exercise. I want to underscore that it’s especially important for people who engage in mostly desk jobs; studies have shown that desk-bound workers need additional exercise to make up for their prolonged sitting”, Wen said.

“We’ve also talked about the role of diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and keeping other medical conditions under control”.

Meals prepared with lots of vegetables and fruits on a domestic kitchen is very key. This type of plant-based diet helps battle diabetes and weight gain.

Another key lifestyle change to keep in mind is to stop smoking. People who smoke are 30% to 40% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes compared with those who don’t.

Chronic Kidney Disease Can Be Dangerous. Here’s How To Prevent It

Cutting smoking helps to reduce the risk of developing diabetes, and it also is very important for those who are already diagnosed with diabetes to stop smoking to decrease their chance of having heart attacks and stroke.

Finally, understanding your personal risk factors is crucially important, as you may need more frequent and earlier onset of screenings depending on your risk factors.

Considering bringing up diabetes on the next visit with your health care provider. Together, you can work out your risk and the steps you can take to prevent and to manage diabetes.