Basic HTML Version
DIABETES
diabetes, it never goes away.
But here’s the good news: If you
have prediabetes, you can slow the
trip toward diabetes. You may even
be able to stop it altogether.
T A K I N G A S A F E R R O U T E
According to theAmerican Diabetes
Association (ADA), you can cut your
risk of developing type 2 diabetes by
58 percent if you:
•
Lose just 7 percent of your body
weight, or about 15 pounds if
you weigh 200 pounds.
•
Exercise moderately—taking
a brisk walk, for example—
30 minutes a day, five days a
week.
Prediabetes
Why You Shouldn’t Ignore It
M E T E O R O L O G I S T S C AN
often warn us of impending bad
weather. Doctors can often do the
same with our health—warning
us when we’re at risk for a serious
disease.
Just one example of this is a con-
dition called prediabetes. If you’ve
been diagnosed with prediabetes,
it means you have a blood glucose
(sugar) level that is creeping up.
Your level isn’t high enough yet to
be called type 2 diabetes, but it is
abnormally high.
The condition is basically a warn-
ing that says, “Pay attention! Danger
ahead!” Your risk of developing full-
blown diabetes is increased with
prediabetes. And once you have
These may require turning off the
TV, prioritizing schedules to make
time for exercise, and eating and
shopping in a new way. A healthy
diet is one that cuts back on calories
and fat and emphasizes low-fat or
nonfat dairy products, whole grains,
lean meats, dried beans, fish, and
lots of fruits and vegetables.
By taking positive steps now
to control prediabetes, you can
put yourself on the path to better
health—a path that just might lead
to a life without diabetes.
F O R M O R E
To learnmore about predia-
betes, visit
KootenaiHealth.org
or call
208-666-3165
.
KOO T E NA I
H E A L T H
. OR G
17