Prediabetes occurs when blood sugar reaches high levels, but levels are not elevated enough for a diabetes diagnosis. Left untreated, prediabetes turns into type 2 diabetes within 10 years, according to MayoClinic.com. Signs and symptoms do not occur with prediabetes. A person at risk for developing type 2 diabetes may be obese, lead an inactive lifestyle, be older than 45, or have a family history of diabetes. People at risk for diabetes should check their blood sugar, as well as cholesterol, levels on a regular basis, according to the National Diabetes Association.
Step 1
Lose weight. According to the Cleveland Clinic, weight loss remains the first line of defense when prediabetes is present. Aim at reducing weight by 5 to 10 percent, suggests the National Diabetes Association. Besides avoiding diabetes, additional weight loss benefits include a healthy heart, increased self-confidence and increased energy, reports MayoClinic.com.
Step 2
Eat healthy. Add fresh fruits and vegetables to your daily diet. Pick foods low in fat and cholesterol and high in fiber. Choose a variety of different foods to keep meals and snacks interesting. Plan out meals several days in advance.
Step 3
Increase daily exercise and avoid living a sedentary lifestyle. Add 30 minutes of modest physical activity into your daily routine, five days a week. Walking, jogging, swimming or joining a local aerobics class keeps you active, and decreases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. MayoClinic.com suggests breaking activity into smaller sections if 30 minutes of exercise is difficult to add into your daily schedule. Small segments of stair climbing, walking the dog, or even gardening increase daily activity levels.
Step 4
Take prescription medications when recommended by your medical professional. Medications, such as metformin and acarbose, are commonly prescribed oral diabetes medications. Cholesterol-lowering and high blood pressure medications may also be prescribed. Closely follow suggested guidelines for taking medications properly.
Step 5
Attempt to get between six and eight hours of sleep a night. According to MayoClinic.com, several studies suggest getting regular periods of sleep reduces insulin resistance associated with diabetes.
Step 6
Continue to monitor your blood sugar, as well as blood pressure. Visit your medical professional on a regular basis to continue treating prediabetes.
Tips and Warnings
- According to the American Diabetes Association, a person may slow the progression of prediabetes by 54 percent by losing weight, eating a balanced diet and exercising.
Things You'll Need
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Low fat and cholesterol foods
- High fiber foods
- Prescription medications
