All of us are guilty of taking our own health for granted at times. For some patients, being told that they have prediabetes can be a huge wake-up call. This diagnosis does not necessarily mean that your condition will develop into diabetes, but it is a warning sign that you need to take steps to change certain things about your lifestyle. Your local pharmacy can be a great source of support and advice if you find yourself in this situation.
Here are some tips that will help you to help stop prediabetes from developing into diabetes.
1 – Get More Exercise
One of the best lifestyle changes that you can make if you have been told you have prediabetes is to get more active! Of course, if you haven’t been exercising for a while, it is important not to jump in at the deep end. Start gradually and build up to more activity over time. An excellent way to get started is to try taking the stairs instead of an elevator or to get up and do some stretches during commercials while you are watching television. Getting enough physical activity is an essential part of addressing prediabetes because it can help to lower blood glucose levels and decrease body fat. The ideal amount of exercise is 30 minutes per day, at least five days per week.
2 – Lose Excess Weight
Like most health issues, being overweight can have a negative impact. If you have prediabetes, even losing 5% to 10% of your overall body weight can reduce the chance of developing full-blown diabetes by up to 60%. Your local pharmacy can offer tips on healthier eating and discuss diet products with you if those are an appropriate route for you to go down.
3 – Get Regular Health Check-Ups
When you have prediabetes, it is important to have your health monitored a little more often than your annual physical. Make an appointment to see your doctor every 3 to 6 months to monitor where you are. You could even go to your local pharmacy for blood glucose testing. This is going to help you to see if you are on the right track or if it is time to step things up into a higher gear. If you are making good progress, then seeing that in test results can be an excellent motivation to keep on track.
4 – Change Your Diet
We already mentioned eating healthier as a way to reduce your weight, but even aside from that, the food you choose can have a significant impact on whether or not you will reduce the risk of prediabetes becoming diabetes. Some basic tips include:
- Eating more vegetables, especially non-starchy ones like leafy greens
- Adding more high fiber food into your diet
- Eat whole grains instead of processed – switch to brown rice instead of white
- Fruit is high in natural sugar so eat in moderation
5 – Get Support
Making lifestyle changes is not always easy. If you are to succeed, then you will need support. It could be someone to hold you accountable, someone to cheer you on, or even someone to monitor your progress. Stop by your local pharmacy for help and advice in managing prediabetes.
Your Hometown Pharmacy Since 1966
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Vaughn Pharmacy is a local, family-owned pharmacy serving the community in Powell, TN. Specializing in providing personalized and attentive prescription programs to our patients, we believe you are more than just a number – you’re part of our family!
(865) 947-1581