Preventing and Treating Diabetes

Do you have risk factors for diabetes? Does your family have a history of diabetes? Or do you have prediabetes? Then check out these healthy living tips. They may prevent diabetes and/or heart disease and stroke. 

Lifestyle changes such as losing weight, eating healthy and engaging in regular, moderate physical activity may reduce the progression of prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes and control Type 1 diabetes. They can also minimize other risk factors such as high blood pressure, blood cholesterol and even heart attacks and strokes.

In many instances, lifestyle changes must be accompanied by medications to control blood glucose levels, high blood pressure and cholesterol. This complementary regimen may also prevent heart attack and stroke.

Diabetes can be successfully managed. Work with your health care team to set personal goals. And be sure to monitor your critical health numbers, including your:

• Blood sugar level
• Weight
• Blood cholesterol level
• Blood pressure

Taking these steps may also help prevent serious complications that can arise from diabetes.