With the right changes in lifestyle, it doesn't have to, says WebMD's diabetes expert.
By
Michael Dansinger, MD Reviewed by
Laura J. Martin, MD
In every issue of WebMD the Magazine, asks their experts to answer readers' questions about a wide range of topics.
In our January-February 2011 issue,they asked WebMD's diabetes expert,
Michael Dansinger, MD, to answer a question about the link between
prediabetes and diabetes.
Q: At my last checkup, my doctor told me I have prediabetes. Does that mean I'll ultimately develop
Don White, 68, a retired science teacher from upstate New York, first
suspected he had type 2 diabetes when he was 45
years old and his school held a health fair for students and teachers. A simple
prick of his finger to test for high blood sugar -- a sign of diabetes -- revealed some
unexpected news.
"My numbers were way above normal," says White. "In a matter of
days, and a couple of doctor's appointments later, I found out I had type 2
diabetes."
White and his family were surprised by...
A: Almost everyone who develops type 2 diabetes develops
prediabetes first. But not everyone who has prediabetes -- defined as
having levels of glucose (a type of sugar in the blood) that are higher
than normal but not yet diabetic -- ends up with diabetes. In fact,
changing your lifestyle can significantly delay or even prevent type 2
diabetes.
Those changes can include losing a moderate amount
of weight (5% to 10% of your body weight -- about 8 to 16 pounds for a
160-pound woman), getting regular exercise (about 30 minutes daily), and
eating healthy meals. There are lots of good eating plans for delaying
or preventing diabetes -- most emphasize a variety of vegetables,
fruits, fish, lean chicken, beans, low-fat dairy, egg whites, soy, and
whole grains.
Quitting smoking, drinking alcohol only moderately
(if you drink already), and reducing stress all help keep your blood
glucose levels under control.
You should also know that prediabetes puts you at
risk for other conditions, such as heart disease and stroke. In fact,
prediabetes is now considered one of America's most serious health
problems (one in four adults has it). Knowing how to keep it in check
can prevent diabetes from developing in the future.
