Get screened in order to prevent pre-diabetes

 

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I recently had a complete blood work done to assess my health status especially since I ma getting older. This is something I neglected to do when I was younger. Now that I’m fast approaching retirement I realize that there is a lot more life to live so I want to take the best care of my health as possible.

Based on the results of the test, my A1c is in the normal range and most all other results were good. I attribute the good results to the fact that I have been following a proper workout program to normalize my blood glucose levels.

I urge those of you who are at risk of getting diabetes to get your regular check-ups so that you can catch any signs of this disease as early as possible.

It’s also incumbent on you to be vigilant when it comes to your health. You know your body and how you feel better than the doctor sitting across the desk from you.

I recently, read that up to 50 % of doctors are not checking for symptoms of pre-diabetes. This is a travesty because diabetes and its complications are a growing problem is this country.

Find that article below.

Docs May Not Heed Prediabetes Screening Guidelines

TUESDAY, Nov. 8, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Only about half of U.S. family doctors follow guidelines on screening patients for prediabetes, a new study finds.

More than one-third of American adults have prediabetes, and most don’t know it.

Prediabetes means that blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diabetes. Diagnosing and treating prediabetes can prevent patients from developing diabetes, a leading cause of death in the United States.

University of Florida researchers surveyed more than 1,200 family doctors in academic medical settings nationwide. They found that those doctors with a positive attitude toward prediabetes as a clinical condition were more likely to follow national screening guidelines and offer treatment for their patients. Prediabetes treatments include medicine, exercise and losing weight.

Other doctors were more likely to suggest their patients make general lifestyle changes that may reduce heart disease risk, but aren’t associated with lowering blood sugar levels.

Doctors also cited patients’ ability to make lifestyle changes, stay motivated and economic resources as significant barriers to preventing diabetes.

The study was published Nov. 8 in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine.

“Some physicians think that a prediabetes diagnosis ‘overmedicalizes’ patients, and some believe it is best to focus on providing general advice on healthy lifestyle,” study author Arch Mainous III said in a university news release. Mainous is chairman of health services research, management and policy in the College of Public Health and Health Professions.

The American Diabetes Association recommends prediabetes screening for adults who are overweight or obese and after age 45. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening for people between 40 and 70 years of age who are overweight or obese.

“I’m hoping that we can change physician attitudes so that they follow and trust the screening and treatment guidelines, which are evidence-based, and view it as a worthwhile way to prevent diabetes,” Mainous said.

You can find the original article here.

P.S. If you have been diagnosed as having pre-diabetes now is the time to take aggressive action. The consequences of full blown diabetes is not something you want to live with especially when it could have been prevented.

P.P.S. Start an exercise program that is focused on getting and keeping your blood sugar level in the normal range. Get more information at How to Prevent Pre-diabetes.

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