Managing pre-diabetes

By Mary Ann Crispin, KAHC Disease Management ClinicNovember 6, 2014

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FORT LEE, Va. (Nov. 6, 2014) -- November is National Diabetes Month and health care professionals and educators are encouraging patients to learn more about this harmful medical condition as the first step to combating its damaging effects.

The National Diabetes Education Program is concerned with the amount of people diagnosed with this disease. In the United States, diabetes cases have has risen from 1.5 million in 1958 to 21 million in 2012. It is estimated that another 8.1 million are undiagnosed. In addition, an estimated 86 million Americans age 20 an older have pre-diabetes, a condition that may develop into full diabetes over time.

The Mayo Clinic lists the following as increasing one's risk to developing pre-diabetes: being overweight, physical inactivity, family history of type 2 diabetes, advancing age, race and history of gestational diabetes.

Diabetes is preventable. Prevention is proven, possible and powerful. Kenner Army Health Clinic has many resources for patients to achieve good health and prevention.

Nov. 14 is World Diabetes day and Kenner will host a weeklong informational and educational display offering dietary tips, nutrition information, and ways include exercise in your daily routine. The display will be in the pharmacy waiting area Nov. 10-14.

The American Diabetes Association states that, often, there are no clear symptoms during the initial stages of diabetes (pre-diabetes), so people may have it and not be aware of it.

During the later stages, some people may experience symptoms like extreme thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, cuts that are slow to heal, tingling in the hands or feet, and blurred vision. Often, there are no symptoms at all and individuals must be diagnosed by a health care professional.

According to research, damage to one's body may be occurring during pre-diabetes. Consider pre-diabetes as a warning call to look at unhealthy eating habits, inadequate exercise and habits leading to weight gain. Making small changes early in the course of the disease may delay or even halt some of the damaging effects. Suggestions such as those listed below, when added to daily routine, may help.

• Talk with a primary care provider about diet and exercise. Changes to the diet or beginning or changing a fitness program should be undertaken as a shared plan between individuals and their provider. The provider's advice may depend on overall health, such as, the condition of the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, feet and nervous system.

• Talk with a provider about joint or bone problems that make it difficult to exercise. There are a wide variety of exercises that will decrease impact to sensitive joints. Learn them by visiting www.mayoclinic.com/health/exercise-and-chronic-disease/MY02165.

• Ask a provider about how increasing an activity level might impact any medications taken for chronic conditions like blood pressure and heart problems.

• Choose a plan and track the progress. It may be motivating to write down what physical activity is done each day along with the goals. Don't forget to celebrate the progress towards the goals.

• Start slowly with realistic exercises that are not overly complicated. The activity should be somewhat challenging but not too difficult. Some activities to consider include walking briskly, water fitness or the use of a stationary bike. The use of proper foot wear can improve performance and lessen impact to sensitive joints. A pedometer helps determine the amount of walking completed and makes it simple to track progress.

• Carry water and snacks with you while exercising. Drink plenty of water before, during and after activity. Those at risk for low blood glucose should always carry a source of carbohydrates in order to counteract any ill effects. Learn more at www.diabeticlivingonline.com/food-to-eat/count-carbs/easy-low-carb-snack-ideas.

• Remember, start slowly and consistently add activities and good lifestyle habits. Wear a medical identification bracelet, necklace or a medical ID tag for information in cases of emergency.

Kenner Army Health Clinic has great resources to get individuals started. Call (804) 734-9086 or follow KAHC on Facebook and Twitter for links to diabetic education during the month of November.