Lake Regional Health System | Thrive | Fall 2020

8 | Fall 2020 DIABETES CARE S ometimes, if we’re lucky, we get a heads-up about a potential problem — like a traffic jam ahead — that allows us to change course and go in a different direction. Learning you have prediabetes is a little like that. Prediabetes means your blood glucose (sugar) levels are higher than normal, but not high enough for a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. “It’s called prediabetes because almost everyone who has type 2 diabetes had pre- diabetes first,” says Michelle Helton, D.O., a family medicine provider at Lake Regional Clinic – Camdenton. “But there’s good news: Not every- one who has prediabetes will progress to full-blown diabetes. Prevention is still possible.” In fact, if you’re diagnosed with prediabetes, it’s crucial to know this: You can often reverse prediabetes by Take the path to Have you tried to make changes in the past only to find yourself back in your old habits, still headed in the wrong direction? This time, give yourself some needed support. Check out these two resources from Lake Regional. • Diabetes Education. If you have already been diagnosed with diabetes — recently or years ago — Lake Regional’s diabetes education program provides motivation, support and hope. Learn how to plan healthy meals, become more active, manage stress and cope with the daily tasks of living with dia- betes. Call 573-302-2725 to learn more. making a few changes in your eating and exercise habits that will put you on a route to a healthier life. Are you at risk for prediabetes? Many people have prediabetes with- out realizing it because the condition doesn’t cause symptoms. The only way to know for sure is with a simple blood test. Talk to your health care provider about being tested if you have any of these risk factors: • You’re overweight. • You’re at least 45 years old. • Your parent or sibling has type 2 diabetes. • You are physically active fewer than three times a week. • You ever gave birth to a baby that weighed more than 9 pounds. • You had gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy). Turn it around In addition to raising your risk of type 2 diabetes, prediabetes also makes you more vulnerable to having heart disease or a stroke. That’s why it’s important to make lifestyle changes that can return your blood sugar levels to the normal range and significantly lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Those changes include: Losing 7% of your body weight if you’re overweight. For someone weighing 200 pounds, that’s a loss of 14 pounds. Exercising moderately. You don’t have to join a gym. Moderate exercise can be as uncomplicated as taking a brisk walk at least five days a week. Eating a healthy diet. Focus on foods such as vegetables, fruit, whole grains, lean protein (think fish and chicken) and low-fat dairy products. Cut back on processed, fried and fatty foods. Choose water instead of sugary drinks. “This is your chance to make a change,” Dr. Helton says. “Type 2 dia- betes is an ongoing disease — there is no cure. Prevention must be the priority.” Michelle Helton, D.O. PREVENTION Change is hard — get the support you need