Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Information You Want to Know about Pre-diabetes and Diabetes

Pre-diabetes Information

Pre-diabetes is a condition where the blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. It is also called impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or impaired fasting glucose (IFG). Millions of people in the United States, ages 40 to 70, have pre-diabetes.

Pre diabetes symptoms

Fasting blood glucose levels in normal state are below 100 mg/dl. People with pre-diabetes have fasting blood glucose level between 100- 125. Diabetes occurs when the fasting blood glucose level is 126 mg/dl and above.

Pre diabetes is almost always present before a person develops the more serious type 2 diabetes. But early diagnosis and treatment of pre diabetes may prevent type 2 diabetes as well as associated complications such as heart and blood vessel disease and eye and kidney disease.

Generally people who have pre diabetes are unaware that they have it or that they are at risk of developing diabetes. People with pre-diabetes are likely to develop type 2 diabetes within 10 years.

Pre-diabetes prevention

While you may not be able to totally eradicate your chances of developing type 2 diabetes, but by making lifestyle modifications you can delay its onset.

Some common lifestyle changes that may help you to prevent pre diabetes are:

- Eat fewer calories
- Exercise 30 minutes, 5 times a week
- Eat a low fat diet
- Loose 10 to 15 pounds

Diabetes Information

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder in which blood sugar levels are abnormally high known as hyperglycemia (hyper means too much, glycemia means glucose in the blood). It occurs due to absence or insufficient insulin production. Basically the food we eat is turned into glucose or sugar for our body to use for energy. Glucose is the major source of fuel for our body. The pancreas, a large gland behind the stomach, makes a hormone called insulin to help glucose get into the cells of our bodies for growth and energy.

When we eat, the pancreas automatically produces the adequate amount of insulin to move glucose from blood into our cells. When we have diabetes, our body either doesn't make enough insulin or can't use its own insulin as well as it should. This causes sugars to build up in our blood, overflows into the urine, and passes out of the body. Thus, the body loses its major source of fuel even though the blood contains large amounts of glucose.

As a result of high level of blood glucose, two problems that commonly arise are: body cells become starved for energy, and, over time, the high glucose levels can damage the nerves, eyes, kidneys, heart and blood vessels.

1. Normal blood sugar: 65 -140
2. High blood sugar: 250-350
3. Very high blood sugar: over 350

Read information about Diabetes Natural Treatment. Also find effective Diabetes Home Remedies.

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