When was the last time you were screened for prediabetes or type 2 diabetes? You can increase your chances of living longer and healthier if you know your diabetes status.
Many people living with diabetes are unaware they have the disease because they have few, if any, symptoms. Knowing if you have prediabetes or diabetes is crucial in preventing long-term complications like heart disease, nerve damage, kidney damage and blindness.
A diabetes screening is simple: Your nurse or doctor will prick your finger and get a blood sample. That’s it.
And there is good news: Unlike many other diseases, you have a lot of control in your health outcomes with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.
If you have prediabetes, you can help prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes. If you already have type 2 diabetes, you may be able to manage it without medication and can reduce your risk of the complications I mentioned above. In some cases, diabetes complications — such as neuropathy or kidney damage — can be reversed if the damage has not been severe or present for a long period of time.
It’s all about healthy lifestyle changes. These lifestyle changes include reducing your body weight if you are overweight or obese, getting physical activity for 150 minutes a week (for example, a 30-minute walk Monday through Friday) and making healthy eating choices. Your doctor can give you tips on making these changes successful.
Some people with diabetes need medication to control their blood sugar, no matter how healthy their lifestyle. Talk to your doctor about the best way to manage your diabetes.
The bottom line: Knowing your diabetes status can improve your quality and length of life, so you can spend time with loved ones and do the activities you enjoy.
http://www.blueridgenow.com/news/20171227/are-you-living-with-diabetes-but-dont-know-it
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