Pre-Diabetes vs. Diabetes: What’s the Difference?
Have you ever wondered the difference is between pre-diabetes and having diabetes? 90% of people who suffer with diabetes have the preventable—and reversible—Type 2. Let’s learn the steps you can take to prevent Type 2 diabetes.
Let’s start with the basics.
What is Pre-diabetes?
Pre-diabetes is a serious medical condition defined by elevated blood sugar levels that are higher than average but not yet high enough to be classified as type 2 diabetes. Pre-diabetes makes you more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
When you have pre-diabetes, your cells do not react effectively to insulin, which is supposed to let your blood sugar access your cells for energy. Extra insulin is made to help encourage better cell response. It eventually becomes too much for your pancreas, so your blood sugar rises and puts you at risk for pre-diabetes.
What Causes Pre-diabetes?
There are many causes for becoming pre-diabetic; and some of us are more genetically disposed than others. Many African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, American Indians, Pacific Islanders, and certain Asian Americans are more likely to be at risk.
Other major causes are being overweight, being over 45 years old, and having a relative with Type 2 diabetes.
What is Type 2 Diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is a medical condition where the pancreas cannot create enough insulin, which then causes your blood glucose levels to rise.
What Causes Type 2 Diabetes?
Causes are identical to pre-diabetes: lifestyle has a lot to do with it, such as being sedentary and overweight. Having a relative with Type 2 diabetes or being over 45 years of age are risk factors, too.
What Can I Do To Not Become Pre-Diabetic?
One of the best things you can do to make sure you don’t become pre-diabetic is to live a healthy lifestyle. It’s recommended to exercise minimum 3 times a week as well as maintain a healthy weight. Managing stress and eating healthy are also good measures.
What happens if I have Type 2 Diabetes?
Focusing on implementing a healthy lifestyle in all areas is one of the best things you can do, and you might be able to reverse your Type 2 diabetes diagnosis. This isn’t easy, and will in most cases require extra support from a medical doctor, nutritionist, and others.
Being active regularly as well as getting to a healthy weight are things that will greatly improve your outcomes. While there isn’t a full cure yet, many people have confirmed that making healthy lifestyle changes has put their Type 2 diabetes into remission!
Acupuncture can help!
Did you know that acupuncture can help stimulate your body to better regulate sugar levels? If you are pre-diabetic or have Type 2 diabetes, consider acupuncture an additional tool and service in your health journey!
