Empower Yourself This November: A Game Plan to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes
November is Diabetes Awareness Month. What is your GAME PLAN to prevent Type 2 DIABETES?
One of our many goals at VIM is disease PREVENTION. We want to empower our patients to take action to reduce their chance of developing disease. Did you know that Type 2 DIABETES can be prevented? Here at VIM we want to help you develop a GAME PLAN to prevent Type 2 DIABETES. Continue reading to better understand our strategy to help you achieve this goal.
1) Type 2 DIABETES develops gradually and may cause no symptoms. Most individuals start out with normal blood sugar levels. Over time these levels may rise in to PRE DIABETIC range (higher than normal but not diagnostic of Type 2 DIABETES) then further progress in to the range of DIABETES. Having high blood sugar levels is harmful to a person’s organs. The good news is that if your blood sugar is detected in the PRE DIABETIC range you can PREVENT progression to Type 2 DIABETES or at least slow down the disease onset.
2) There are risk factors for developing PRE DIABETES including age over 45, having a parent or sibling with Type 2 DIABETES, having a history of gestational diabetes or delivering a baby that weighed over 9 pounds, having excessive weight, having medical conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), fatty liver disease or high blood pressure, being physically inactive and smoking tobacco. At VIM we discuss your risk factors for PRE DIABETES and determine if screening tests are appropriate.
3) At VIM we are skilled to order appropriate screening tests for PRE DIABETES. There are several different blood tests to choose from to determine if your blood sugar levels are normal, PRE DIABETIC or in the range of Type 2 DIABETES.
4) Once these levels are determined, a clinician will discuss your GAME PLAN to prevent Type 2 DIABETES. Strategies will focus on achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, modifying your eating pattern to include more plants and fiber, reducing foods that are ultra-processed with added sugar, increasing moderately strenuous physical activity and limiting inactivity. Your clinician at VIM may identify other interventions specific to you that can help you PREVENT Type 2 DIABETES.
5) In certain circumstances, medication may be a good option to help you prevent progressing from PRE DIABETES to Type 2 DIABETES. These medications can lower your sugar, or help you lose excessive weight or stop smoking cigarettes.
Your GAME PLAN to preventing Type 2 DIABETES may be to establish care with VIM. We are eager to develop a blueprint for your success. If you are already a patient, please inquire about your risk for Type 2 DIABETES and how you should be screened. The first step in preventing Type 2 DIABETES is to discuss your risk factors with a clinician at VIM. Secondly, determine which screening blood test is right for you. With that result, formulate appropriate lifestyle changes and devise a healthier eating pattern. VIM offers many resources to help you implement your GAME PLAN to prevent Type 2 DIABETES. We want to provide you with tools to help you move forward on your journey to Type 2 DIABETES PREVENTION.
