Diabetes. Prevent! Control it!
How many times have we heard that exercise, a proper diet and sleep are the best medicine? In the case of type 2 diabetes and prediabetes, they really are. The Canadian Diabetes Association is warning us that 9 million Canadians have type 2 diabetes or Prediabetes.
What, you are asking, is prediabetes? It is a condition in which your blood sugar is higher than normal, but not high enough to be considered diabetes. Prediabetes has no signs or symptoms. Get screened regularly, especially if you carry any of the risks factors associated with diabetes.
If you find yourself with the diagnosis of pre-diabetes then you are in a powerful position to prevent full-blown diabetes. Did you know that 58% of people with pre-diabetes did not develop full blown diabetes simply by increasing exercise, eating more fruits and vegetables, and losing 5 -10% of their weight? This is important, because pre-diabetes carries many of the same complications as diabetes, and without treatment may turn into diabetes. And stress does no favours to your body either. In fact, stress increases blood sugar. But exercise is an excellent way to manage stress, and it helps you sleep better. It's a win win win situation. Just remember to carry a snack with you if you do have diabetes in case you develop low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia.
The Toronto Public Library has some excellent books to help keep you healthy and fit and your blood sugar under control.
This blog was prepared by Brigid Johnston, Nursing Student at Ryerson University, Toronto
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