Early diabetes or pre-diabetes is being diagnosed more today than in the past and not only among those who are 45 years and older but also in our younger generation. It’s becoming a crisis situation in some areas and among certain groups of people.
The diabetes epidemic can be compared to other devastating diseases such as small pox or measles because of its effect on the health of our population today. In fact, it may be worst than many major diseases that struck our population in the past. It can make you blind, lose feeling in your hands and feet, lead to amputations, cause kidney failure and exacerbate heart disease . . . and ultimately lead to death.
Thank God a cure has been found for many of the deadly diseases of the last 100 years. But diabetes, which in many cases is a lifestyle disease – continues to baffle researchers. I applaud the ongoing research but until that magic pill is developed and monetize by big Pharma, we must take matters into our own hands.
One of the best moves you can do today is make an appointment with your healthcare provider. Early detection and continuous monitoring is important in dealing with out-of-control blood sugar levels. Pre-diabetes or early-stage diabetes is the precursor to full-blown diabetes and there are steps you can take to prevent it or at least delay being diagnosed . . . and if you have been so labeled then there are steps you can take to reverse the condition.
The complications of diabetes are not pleasant and I have witness the deadly results in my own family – from the pre-diabetes stage to death as a direct result of poor blood sugar control.
Losing a loved one to a disease that’s manageable with lifestyle changes is devastating to those left behind and seems so irrational. You ask questions like – why didn’t they take their medication? or make healthy dietary choices? or become more active? or care enough about themselves?
Almost as bad as losing a family member is to see them dealing with the complications on a daily basis. Neuropathy or nerve damage throughout the body and especially in the extremities – hands and feet – can lead to amputations as was experienced by a dear friend and co-worker.
Among the major causes of kidney failure is high blood sugar. A close family member just recently had a kidney transplant and he was lucky because many people needing this procedure are not able to get it. They have to get hooked up to a dialysis machine three times each week for the rest of their lives.
The good news is that if you are able to detect the symptoms early enough – in the pre-diabetes stages – then there is a high likelihood that the condition can be reversed. This was the case with my sister. After getting a pre-diabetes diagnosis from her doctor she took matters into her own hands. She changed her diet and started a consistent exercise program. And, although she back-slides occasionally, today her HbA1c is consistently below 5.6%.
The complications of diabetes can be devastating so I implore you to take the necessary steps to have yourselves and family members checked. We can go for years and not notice the signs or symptoms of early diabetes or pre-diabetes. The earlier you find out is the sooner you can begin to deal with it.
Visit with your healthcare provider to get an assessment – especially if you have any of its symptoms or are at risk because of certain health conditions or family history – and get on track to protect you future health.
Check out my revised copy of How to Prevent Pre-diabetes for more information on reversing early diabetes.