5 Ways to Prevent Prediabetes from Developing to Diabetes
Prediabetes is a condition that causes a person to have sugar levels above normal. Even so, the sugar levels in prediabetes are not as high as in those with diabetes. This makes the person can not be said to have diabetes.
A person's fasting blood sugar level under normal circumstances is less than 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl). In prediabetes, blood sugar levels will exceed normal limits and can reach 100–125 milligrams per deciliter. So, can you prevent prediabetes from developing into diabetes? How to?
A person is said to have diabetes if they already have blood sugar levels above 125 milligrams per deciliter. Previously, this disease may be characterized by prediabetes, a condition in which blood sugar levels begin to increase.
The good news is, prediabetes can still be cured and prevented from developing into diabetes. In other words, prediabetes is actually a "warning" of diabetes that is dangerous and cannot be treated.
How to Prevent Prediabetes from Developing to Diabetes
You don't need to worry too much if you are declared to have prediabetes, because this condition is actually still treatable. There are various ways that can be done to prevent the development of prediabetes into diabetes, including:
1. Maintain Weight
One of the best ways to prevent diabetes is to maintain ideal body weight. The reason is, this disease is more susceptible to attacking people with excess body weight, aka obesity. The risk of prediabetes developing into diabetes is higher in people who are overweight.
Therefore, make sure to always maintain ideal body weight to avoid diabetes. If you are diagnosed with prediabetes, try to lose 10-15 percent of your body weight.
2. Adjust the Diet
Preventing is always better than cure. You can prevent diabetes, even prediabetes by adjusting your diet. In order to avoid diabetes, make it a habit to eat healthy foods, and avoid sweet foods such as candy, cakes, and sugar.
You can start by reducing the use of added sugars in your daily food and drink. Instead, use sweeteners that are healthier and lower in calories. Apart from preventing diabetes, this can also help keep the weight from gaining.
3. Don't be lazy to move
In fact, not moving enough can increase the risk of developing diabetes. To avoid this, make it a habit to do regular physical activity, for example exercising 3 times a week.
No need to push yourself with too much exercise. You can start with light, routine activities, such as walking in the park near your home. Other types of sports that you can try are cycling or swimming.
4. Stay away from smoking
The risk of disease is higher in people who actively smoke. Apart from diabetes, there are many other chronic diseases that put people with a smoking habit at greater risk.
5. Routine Health Checks
Monitoring health conditions and blood sugar levels are something that must be done when experiencing prediabetes. That way, you can find out whether your blood sugar levels have returned to normal or are even more dangerous. Therefore, be sure to always control and check your health.