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Can you reverse prediabetes?
Prediabetes occurs when your body gradually begins to poorly process glucose (or sugar). It is estimated that more than one in three Americans fall into this category, whether they are aware of it or not. Prediabetes can progress to type 2 diabetes when the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar continues to decline over time. A definitive type 2 diabetes diagnosis is confirmed following two abnormal fasting blood glucose levels or A1c tests.
At Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology, our team of board-certified endocrinology specialists are experts at treating diabetes in all its forms and stages. According to our endocrinologist Dr. Lucy Esteve, “one of the major risk factors for developing prediabetes is being overweight.”
Other common risk factors for prediabetes are an unhealthy diet, chronic sedentary lifestyle, high blood pressure, and genetics or a family history of diabetes.
Typically, prediabetes is completely asymptomatic which is why it is so important to get screened if you have any of the risk factors above. Symptoms suggestive of diabetes include increased thirst or hunger, fatigue, frequent urination, numbness in the hands or feet, and slow-healing wounds.
According to the American Diabetes Association, nearly 70% of people who are diagnosed with prediabetes go on to develop full-blown diabetes.
This presents the question; can a diagnosis of prediabetes be reversed?
Can prediabetes be reversed?
Many endocrinologists support that prediabetes can effectively be reversed through dedicated efforts and interventions such as improving diet and exercise.
“Data has shown that with intensive lifestyle changes, with as little as seven percent weight loss, you are able to reverse diabetes and return your blood sugars to normal,” shares Dr. Esteve.
What can you do to reverse prediabetes?
Losing weight, by eating healthy and exercising, is the most impactful measure you can take to try and reverse a prediabetes diagnosis.
Dr. Esteve says that “when we are talking about dietary lifestyle interventions, we are talking about a low calorie, low fat whole food diet that avoids highly processed foods.”
Other things you can do to help in preventing prediabetes from advancing to diabetes include:
- Staying hydrated (as water helps to maintain healthy glucose levels), and opting for clear, unsweetened beverages as often as possible
- Reducing stress since stress can trigger the release of cortisol, a hormone that leads to insulin resistance
- Limiting alcohol consumption
- Stop smoking
How can TD&E help you in reversing your prediabetes?
Texas Diabetes offers our patients comprehensive weight loss management counseling which entails nutrition education, diet and exercise plans as well additional support through FDA-approved weight loss medications as needed.
Contact Us to Help Manage your Diabetes, Osteoporosis and Thyroid Conditions
If you’d like to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists at Texas Diabetes & Endocrinology and discover how our diabetes services and other endocrinology therapies can help you lead a full and active life, please contact us at (512) 458-8400 or request an appointment online.
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