Warning sign of type 2 diabetes: 7 ways to reverse prediabetes

From foxnews.com

Taking action immediately could prolong your life, experts say

Approximately 38.4 million Americans had been diagnosed with diabetes as of 2021 — but about three times that many are in danger of developing the disease, even if they don’t know it.

Nearly 98 million U.S. adults had prediabetes as of 2021, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA).

Prediabetes is almost always a precursor to type 2 diabetes, which is the most common type — but that outcome isn't inevitable, experts say. If you’ve been diagnosed with prediabetes, there are steps you can take to get back on a healthy track.

What is prediabetes?

Prediabetes is a condition that occurs when blood sugar levels are above normal but not quite yet a diagnosable disease, according to Marjorie Nolan Cohn, a registered dietitian and clinical director of Berry Street, a nutrition therapy provider in New York City.

"Think of prediabetes as your major warning sign that a formal diabetes diagnosis is down the pike," she told Fox News Digital.

"Taking action immediately is necessary for prevention and can literally prolong your life."

What causes prediabetes?

There are several factors that can nudge someone more toward the prediabetes range, according to Dr. Akhil Shenoy, a Texas endocrinologist and medical advisor at Aeroflow Diabetes, a provider of diabetes management supplies.

Some of those include a family history of type 2 diabetes and a personal history of gestational diabetes, Shenoy told Fox News Digital.

People with excess body weight, sedentary lifestyles, a smoking habit and poor sleep are also at a higher risk.

Eating a diet high in red or processed meats, low vegetables and high sugars also contributes to prediabetes and diabetes, Shenoy said.

Nearly 98 million U.S. adults had prediabetes as of 2021, according to the American Diabetes Association.

"Even skipping a meal contributes to the development of prediabetes, especially in those with multiple risk factors, because of imbalanced blood sugar and insulin levels," Cohn added.

Certain ethnicities tend to be more susceptible, with Asian, Hispanic and Black American adults more likely to have prediabetes compared to White Americans, the experts noted.

How is prediabetes diagnosed?

Prediabetes is diagnosed by a blood test that measures blood sugar levels over time, according to Cohn.

"Haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is a marker that assesses average blood sugar levels for the past two to three months," she told Fox News Digital. "This gives a broad view into your blood sugar."

Approximately 38.4 million Americans had been diagnosed with diabetes as of 2021, and nearly 98 million had prediabetes. (iStock)

Additional lab testing includes a fasting blood sugar test, Cohn noted, which provides a snapshot of your blood sugar at a certain date and time. 

"In this fasting test, you have not eaten or drank since the night before," she said. 

"With both a haemoglobin A1c and fasting blood sugar test, your doctor can diagnose you with prediabetes."

7 ways to reverse prediabetes

While a diagnosis of prediabetes can be scary, Cohn emphasized that it doesn’t always have to lead to type 2 diabetes.

"By taking action now, you can prevent diabetes from developing," she said.

                                                                   Some people may require medications to keep blood sugar at a healthy level. (iStock)

Cohn and Chenoy recommended several ways to reverse prediabetes.

1. Take walks after meals and snacks

2. Engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week

3. Drink water instead of soda

4. Eat healthy meals that contain a balance of lean proteins, healthy fats and complex carbohydrates, limiting saturated fats

5. If overweight or obese, produce a calorie deficit to lose at least 5% of body weight

6. If you smoke, quit

7. See a doctor or specialist as needed

"If, despite these measures, blood sugar levels remain elevated, medications may be prescribed to further reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes," Chenoy advised.

Cohn also recommends seeing a registered dietitian who can help with establishing habits to support healthy blood sugar levels.

"At this stage, lifestyle and dietary changes are shown to be most effective for the majority of individuals with prediabetes," she added.

https://www.foxnews.com/health/warning-sign-type-2-diabetes-ways-reverse-prediabetes

Why have diabetes rates doubled over the past 30 years – and what can be done about it?

From theguardian.com 

Rates of diabetes in adults have risen to 14%, an epidemic enabled by unhealthy lifestyles and an ageing population

Diabetes rates worldwide have more than doubled over the past three decades, with more than half of cases untreated, a global study has found. 

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic disease caused when the pancreas does not produce enough (or any) insulin (a hormone that regulates blood glucose) or the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Uncontrolled diabetes can cause hyperglycaemia, or raised blood sugar, which over time can cause serious damage to many of the body’s systems, especially the nerves and blood vessels.

What’s the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body destroys the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder which stops the body using insulin properly. More than 95% of people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. Unlike type 1, type 2 diabetes can be prevented. Being overweight, eating unhealthily and not exercising enough, as well as genetic factors, can increase the risk of developing diabetes.

How many people have diabetes?

The Lancet study found that rates of diabetes in adults doubled from approximately 7% to about 14% between 1990 and 2022. In all, it calculated 828 million people over 18 have the condition, up approximately 630 million people over the three decades.

While India accounted for more than a quarter of all cases and has a diabetes rate of more than 20%, diabetes rates in the UK (8.8%) are second only to the US (12.5%) in the G7.

Why are cases of diabetes growing so much?

Growing levels of obesity are fuelling an epidemic in type 2 diabetes. According to the World Obesity Federation, nearly 1 billion adults and 159 million children are living with obesity. As you are more likely to develop diabetes as you get older, an ageing global society is also increasing the prevalence of the condition. A healthy lifestyle is unaffordable for some people. In many countries, unhealthy food is cheap, convenient and heavily advertised, while healthy food can be increasingly difficult to get and more expensive in the face of the droughts, floods and rising seas caused by climate change, according to the World Health Organization. Meanwhile, in some places, it is difficult to exercise safely.

How is diabetes treated?

People with type 1 diabetes need insulin injections or a pump to survive. While those with type 2 diabetes may need insulin or glucose-reducing medications; diet and lifestyle changes also help to manage blood sugar levels.

Why are so many people in lower and middle income countries not getting the medication they need?

Nearly 450 million people with diabetes are untreated, the Lancet study found, three-and-a-half times the number in 1990. Most of these people are undiagnosed. Despite the availability of effective glucose-lowering medication, millions of people with diabetes in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are untreated. According to Leif Fenger Jensen, managing director of the World Diabetes Foundation, “complex barriers to accessing health services” in lower and middle income countries make tackling diabetes more difficult. “These challenges lead to under-diagnosis and limited access to diabetes care, with major human and economic costs for both individuals and societies.”

What can be done about it?

Improving access to a doctor will make both prevention and getting diagnosis easier. Reducing the cost of diabetes drugs, especially in LMICs, would also make a difference. In addition, there is widespread consensus that more action is needed to reduce obesity.

A study published last month, found that reducing the sugar children receive in the womb and as toddlers can protect them against diabetes and high blood pressure in adulthood.

Johanna Ralston, chief executive of the World Obesity Forum, said countries should take a systematic approach “focusing on prevention, public health measures and policies that limit exposure to unhealthy food marketing, especially to children.”

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/nov/13/why-have-diabetes-rates-doubled-over-the-past-30-years-and-what-can-be-done-about-it

Living Well: Diabetes Prevention and Management

From conehealth.com

In the U.S. about 1 in 10 people have diabetes and about a third have prediabetes. While having a family history of diabetes, being over 45 years old or from certain ethnic backgrounds and being diagnosed with certain medical conditions can increase a person’s risk, monitoring glucose levels, eating healthy, being physically active and managing stress are ways to reduce diabetes risk within everyone’s control. 

“A combination of annual check-ups, healthy eating choices and more daily movement and physical activity can improve overall health,” says Cone Health registered dietitian Kate Watts. “Managing stress, which makes it more difficult to make positive lifestyle choices and contributes to inflammation in the body, can also improve outcomes.”

“Managing diabetes is a marathon, not a sprint,” encourages Cone Health registered dietitian Alexis Scotece. “Small, consistent changes can lead to lasting results."

Test A1C annually: If you are over 45 years old or have a family history of risk factors, test A1C or average blood glucose levels annually. By checking blood sugar levels, doctors can diagnose and monitor prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes. Symptoms of high or low blood sugar issues include fatigue, appetite changes, grogginess, thirst and frequent urination.

Get moving: Incorporate moderate aerobic activity and strength training into your weekly workout. Both the CDC and American College of Sports Medicine recommend adults 18 – 65 take a brisk walk, cycle, swim or participate in other cardiovascular activities for half an hour five days a week and work on all major muscle groups a couple of times a week.

Eat healthy: Balanced eating patterns like Mediterranean, vegetarian/vegan or the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), which emphasize lean proteins, fruits and vegetables, are recommended.

Manage stress: Take breaks, get enough sleep, connect with others and resist the urge to overcommit. In addition to the negative impact of stress on exercise and nutrition, long-term stress can cause the body to release hormones, which can increase blood glucose levels.

“To manage blood sugar and overall health, consider meeting with a registered dietitian for individualized nutrition guidance,” adds Scotece, who works with Cone Health Nutrition and Diabetes Education Services, which has outpatient offices in Greensboro, Burlington and Reidsville.

https://www.conehealth.com/employer-health-and-wellness-solutions/employer-health-solutions/news/living-well-diabetes-prevention-and-management/ 

Diagnoses of Type-2 Diabetes are increasing. Know the symptoms and how to reverse it

From bronx.news12.com

One sign that someone could develop Type 2 Diabetes is increased thirst and urination

As the number of people who are diagnosed with Type-2 Diabetes continues to increase, doctors say there are several steps people can take to avoid or reverse their diagnosis.

Doctors say first need to find what their blood sugar level is. If they do not know, they should visit a doctor for the routine test. They say if someone's blood sugar level is high, that could be a red flag.

Dr. Brent Smith with the American Academy of Family Physicians says even before people begin to see symptoms of the disease, it's important they visit their doctor annually to be screened and evaluated for diabetes risk.

"We would all be a lot happier treating and preventing it than we would be dealing with the consequences of uncontrolled diabetes or other medical conditions. For a long time, diabetes and hypertension were both known as what are called silent diseases, meaning they are affecting your body and causing long term damage before you start to have a lot of physical symptoms," says Smith.

One sign that someone could develop Type-2 Diabetes is increased thirst and urination.

"When you're a diabetic and you have this extra sugar floating around in your system, your body tends to either tends to get rid of it through your urine," says Dr. Brent Smith with the American academy of family physicians.

Other signs to watch out for include sluggishness, general malaise and not feeling like yourself.

Managing your weight can also reduce the risk of Type-2 Diabetes, along with eating a healthy diet, cutting out sugar as much as possible and exercising regularly.

"The recommendation for exercise is a total of 100 and 50 minutes over the course of the week which breaks down to about 30 minutes of a brisk walk or cardiovascular exercise five days a week," says Smith.

https://bronx.news12.com/diagnoses-of-type-2-diabetes-are-increasing-know-the-symptoms-and-how-to-reverse-it 

Top 4 lifestyle changes for managing diabetes effectively

From news.llu.edu

Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how the body manages blood sugar. There are two primary types: Type 1 and Type 2.

Type 1 Diabetes: An autoimmune condition, typically diagnosed in childhood, where the beta cells do not produce insulin. This requires a person to give themselves insulin shots for their entire life.

Type 2 Diabetes: More common in adults, this type involves insulin resistance, where the body produces insulin but cannot use it effectively, or the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin. Some research shows that by the time Type 2 diabetes is diagnosed, up to 50% of the cells are already not working. Type 2 progresses over time, often causing blood sugar to build up in the bloodstream, which can damage blood vessels, especially in organs like the eyes and kidneys. 

Additionally, prediabetes –– the precursor to Type 2 Diabetes –– happens when there is insulin resistance, but sugar levels in the bloodstream are not high enough to be considered Type 2 diabetes. This is becoming dangerously common, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting that more than 1 in 3 American adults have prediabetes, and more than 8 in 10 adults with prediabetes don’t know they have it. 

Karen Studer, MD, chair of the Department of Preventive Medicine, provides the following lifestyle changes for individuals with any form of diabetes, including prediabetes.

1. Eliminate all sugary beverages

One of the most effective and important ways to manage blood sugar is to eliminate sugary drinks from your diet. This includes: 

• Sodas

• Fruit juices such as orange, apple, and grape juice

• Sports drinks

• Energy drinks

• Coffee sweetened with syrups, sugars, or creamers

• Milkshakes

• Alcohol

Even beverages that seem healthy, like fruit juice, can cause rapid blood sugar spikes because they’re packed with concentrated sugars without the fibre found in whole fruit.

Instead of drinking surgery beverages, Studer suggests the following alternatives:

• Water: Plain or sparkling

• Fruit-infused water: Adding fresh fruit can add flavour without excess sugar

• Unsweetened tea: As long as you skip the sugar and cream, tea is a good choice 

2. Exercise after eating

There are two primary ways for glucose to enter cells: insulin or physical activity. Studer explains that physical activity is crucial for managing blood sugar levels, especially after meals. 

“After eating, light exercise can mimic insulin’s effect by opening cells for glucose to enter,” Studer says. “For people with prediabetes or diabetes, if they do some form of exercise after eating, even if it’s just walking, it will open the cells for the sugar to go into, which reduces the amount of sugar left in the bloodstream.” 

3. Consider eating only two meals a day

For some people –– specifically those not on insulin –– Studer says that reducing daily meal frequency from three to two may improve blood sugar control. A controlled diabetes study found that eating fewer, larger meals, such as breakfast and lunch, can be beneficial for people with Type 2 diabetes. 

However, this approach may not be suitable for everyone. If you are taking insulin or other medications that lower blood sugar, consult your doctor first to ensure that this change is safe for you. 

4. Reduce saturated fats and processed foods

Saturated fats and processed foods worsen insulin resistance and contribute to high blood sugar levels. Saturated fats, such as red meat, full-fat dairy products, and fried foods, can raise cholesterol levels, increasing the risk of heart disease — a common complication in people with diabetes. 

Processed foods, such as fast food, frozen meals, and candy, are often high in refined sugars and unhealthy fats, which can cause rapid spikes in blood sugar, making it harder to maintain stable glucose levels. 

Studer recommends eating a whole food, plant-based diet. Whole foods not only help improve insulin sensitivity and blood sugar control, but this eating pattern can potentially put prediabetes into remission. 

https://news.llu.edu/health-wellness/top-4-lifestyle-changes-for-managing-diabetes-effectively

How Diabetes Can Impact Eye Health

From news.cuanschutz.edu

Just like in the rest of the body, blood vessels in the eyes can be affected by diabetes, explains CU ophthalmologist Niranjan Manoharan, MD.

In 2021, researchers estimated about 11.6% of the U.S. population had diabetes, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

This chronic metabolic disease, which happens when the body’s glucose, or blood sugar, is too high, can affect organs across the body, including the eyes. Niranjan Manoharan, MD, assistant professor of ophthalmology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, often treats patients who experiences these vision changes or ocular problems that manifest along with diabetes.

Sometimes he can be the first to spot diabetes, which doctors often say is a “silent” disease, in a patient.

“I've noticed this many times. Patients don't know they have diabetes until we find a problem in the eyes, but they don’t suspect they have diabetes because they haven't had routine care with their primary care doctor,” he says.

Manoharan explains some of the ways diabetes affects ocular health and why managing blood sugar and keeping up with primary care is crucial for vision and keeping the eyes healthy.

Can you explain why diabetes and eye health are connected?

Diabetes affects many organs in the body in a similar way. It essentially slowly damages the tiny blood vessels in the body, including the eyes. When those blood vessels are damaged, we can see a whole slew of problems, such as retinal damage to lack of perfusion, bleeding and swelling in the retina, retinal detachment, glaucoma and cataracts.

What are some symptoms patients in later stages of the disease experience?

In more serious cases and late term complications, the patient can experience retinal detachment or bleeding in the eye. This can be harmful to a person’s vision and cause irreversible blindness.

Are these diabetes-related conditions treatable and what does that treatment look like?

It’s critical to catch this disease early so we can work with primary care doctors and endocrinologists to get it under control before it leads to the damage we’ve talked about. If left untreated, a person could experience permanent vision loss.

There is a point in diabetes where there is early damage in the eye but the patient might not necessarily know it because they’ve been able to manage with their vision, but as ophthalmologists we can see the damage in the blood vessels. In these early stages, we can reverse that damage, but there becomes a point where we cannot.

In advanced stages, treatment is often a combination of surgery, laser, or injections in the eye. We see a lot of variability in the disease, so it really depends on the individual patient.

Patient education is crucial in diabetes and eye conditions that can follow. What should people know about screenings and preventative care?

Even if you feel like you're healthy and doing well, hypertension and diabetes are silent diseases. You don't know until there's end organ damage. That's when you start to feel it. By then, a lot of damage could already be done, and it's going to be harder to control.

A quick annual check-up with a primary care provider to check your blood pressure and glucose can go a long way, because if we can catch these early, subtle changes, it’s much easier to treat and manage.

https://news.cuanschutz.edu/ophthalmology/how-diabetes-can-impact-eye-health