Harmless situation.
In the ongoing battle against diabetes, early detection and prevention are key. This chronic metabolic disorder, which affects the body's ability to process glucose due to disrupted or non-functioning insulin production, can lead to serious complications if left unchecked.
Fortunately, there are several evidence-based steps you can take to reduce your personal risk of developing diabetes and recognise signs of elevated blood sugar levels.
**Reducing the Risk of Developing Diabetes**
Weight management plays a crucial role in diabetes prevention. Losing a modest amount of weight—around 5 to 7% of your body weight—if you are overweight can significantly decrease your risk of type 2 diabetes. Regular physical activity, a balanced diet, and undergoing regular health screenings are also essential for maintaining healthy weight and blood sugar levels.
Regular aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking, cycling, or swimming, and strength training exercises at least twice a week can help improve insulin sensitivity and metabolic health. A calorie-appropriate diet that maintains a healthy weight and improves blood sugar control is also recommended. Approaches like intermittent energy restriction and time-restricted eating may help reduce energy intake and insulin resistance.
Regular health screenings are crucial for early detection of prediabetes, allowing timely lifestyle interventions or medication to prevent progression. Consistent maintenance of healthy weight, physical activity, and balanced nutrition is essential for diabetes prevention. Some individuals at high risk may benefit from medications like semaglutide or tirzepatide under medical advice.
**Recognising Signs of Elevated Blood Sugar Levels**
Being vigilant for classic symptoms of high blood sugar allows early detection and management to prevent complications. Increased thirst and frequent urination, unexplained fatigue or weakness, blurred vision, increased hunger even after eating, slow-healing cuts or wounds, recurring infections, tingling or numbness in hands or feet, are all signs that may indicate high blood glucose and warrant prompt medical evaluation.
**Importance of Early Detection and Prevention**
Early detection of diabetes is crucial, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The risk of severe COVID-19 is not increased for well-controlled diabetics without comorbidities, but early detection and management of diabetes is crucial for overall health and wellbeing.
Diabetes is a serious condition that can lead to heart attacks, strokes, amputations, kidney, and sexual dysfunctions. Recognising the signs of elevated blood sugar levels and taking steps to reduce your personal risk of developing diabetes can help in managing these complications.
For those seeking advice on reducing personal diabetes risk and managing the condition, diabetes advisors such as Michaela Berger and Yvonne Häusler are available for consultation on October 4, from 2 - 6 PM, free of charge. Consultations can be made by calling 0800-0004743.
[1] American Diabetes Association. (2021). Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes—2021. Diabetes Care, 44(suppl 1), S1-S159. [2] Diabetes UK. (2021). Type 2 Diabetes: Prevention. Retrieved from https://www.diabetes.org.uk/diabetes-the-basics/type-2-diabetes/preventing-type-2-diabetes [3] Sacks, F. M., et al. (2014). Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Diet and Hypertension. New England Journal of Medicine, 371(21), 2001-2010. [4] NICE. (2019). Type 2 diabetes in adults: management. Retrieved from https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng28/chapter/1-Recommendations#11-lifestyle-management-of-type-2-diabetes-in-adults-with-a-bmi-of-30kg-m2-or-more-or-a-bmi-of-27-5kg-m2-or-more-with-additional-risk-factors-and-those-with-type-2-diabetes-and-a-bmi-of-25kg-m2-or-more-who-have-significantly-increased-cardiovascular-risk
- Maintaining a healthy weight through regular exercise and a balanced diet can significantly decrease your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, as obesity is a major risk factor for this condition.
- Aerobic exercises like brisk walking, cycling, or swimming, along with strength training exercises at least twice a week, can help improve insulin sensitivity and metabolic health, reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
- Early detection of prediabetes through regular health screenings is crucial for timely intervention, as it allows for the implementation of lifestyle changes or medications to prevent the progression to type 2 diabetes.
- classic symptoms of high blood sugar levels, such as increased thirst, frequent urination, unexplained fatigue, blurred vision, increased hunger, slow-healing wounds, recurring infections, and tingling or numbness in the extremities, should be vigilantly monitored and medically evaluated if detected, as they may indicate high blood glucose levels.
