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Globally, the number of people having diabetes has grown by huge numbers in the last 50 years. In the first instance, it looks almost impossible to arrest the growth curve of diabetes. As we do not have a cure, the only way to beat diabetes is by preventing new cases.
Some countries have met initial success in reducing the incidence of new cases of diabetes. Denmark and USA have documented a lower number of new cases of diabetes in recent years. Both the government data (CDC) and private insurance data from the USA confirm this trend of leveling off of new cases.
Let us take the first step towards beating diabetes, by knowing how to prevent new people from becoming diabetic and reversing the trend.
High-Risk State for Diabetes: Prediabetes
Diabetes is preceded by a condition called "Prediabetes", which is characterized by mildly elevated glucose levels. This is the middle state between a normal person having a good glucose processing system and a diabetic person with a faulty glucose processing system in the body.This condition has also been described with other names like Impaired Glucose Tolerance and Impaired Fasting Glucose.
Prediabetes is around 3 times more commonly present than diabetes. Most people who develop diabetes, have prediabetes for many years first.
Prediabetes is also the stage where one can target diabetes prevention programs for maximum cost-effectiveness. Studies in such people have consistently shown that prevention programs can significantly reduce the risk of developing diabetes.
Other people at high risk of diabetes include obese people and those with a sedentary lifestyle, which are both modifiable. Age> 45 and some groups like Asians are non-modifiable risk factors for diabetes.
Ways to Prevent Diabetes in Prediabetics
The first line of intervention to prevent diabetes as per European guidelines is lifestyle modification which includes, dietary change to ensure weight loss, coupled with physical activity. So it is simple things, like watching what you eat, your weight and a walk of 30 minutes per day, that can help in preventing diabetes successfully. A sustained bodyweight reduction by greater than or 5 % lowers the risk of developing diabetes.It is important to note that, while all these simple changes done together are known to prevent diabetes, if only one of them is used as an intervention, for example only diet or only physical activity, then it may not protect one from developing diabetes.
If the above lifestyle changes are not working, the second line of intervention may be initiated by your doctor. This includes the addition of certain medicines along with the continuation of lifestyle modification. The medicines that have documented preventive effects include metformin, glipizide, rosiglitazone, orlistat, and voglibose. You may follow your personal doctor's advice regarding these are OK for you or not, as they may cause some adverse effects also.
I hope empowered with this knowledge you would take steps so that you or your loved ones do not develop diabetes, despite being high risk for it.
About the author: Dr. Naval Asija is a licensed MBBS Physician from India. MBBS is the equivalent of the MD degree offered by international medical schools. He is based in Delhi, India, and works as a medical writer, editor, and consultant. He supports medical researches as an author's editor, medical communication companies involved in medico-marketing activities, and medical technology companies in improving their products. He can be contacted via his LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/navalasija/
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