Prediabetes-Home Treatment

Prediabetes - Home Treatment

You play a major role in managing prediabetes and preventing it from turning into type 2 diabetes.^2,⁵ You can do this by:

Watching your weight.
Making healthy food choices.
Being active.
Not smoking.
Controlling blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Watch your weight

Losing 5% to 10% of your body weight may help you prevent or at least delay type 2 diabetes.⁶ For example, if you weigh 200 pounds, losing 10 to 20 pounds can reduce your risk.

Losing weight can also lower insulin resistance. The more you lose, the more you benefit, as long as you do it in a healthy way.²

Losing weight can be hard, but you can do it. The easiest way to start is by cutting calories and becoming more active. For help, see the topic Weight Management and:

Healthy Eating: Recognizing Your Hunger Signals.

Healthy Eating: Getting Support When Changing Your Eating Habits.

Fitness: Adding More Activity to Your Life.

Make healthy food choices

Planning meals to manage prediabetes can often mean looking at food in a new way. There are several easy ways to make healthy changes to the way you eat. One way to start is by eating foods that are low in saturated fat and high in fiber. Or you might try cutting down on foods that are high in calories but low in nutrition, such as soda.

A registered dietitian can help you make a meal plan that fits your lifestyle.

For help, see the topic Healthy Eating and:

Healthy Eating: Cutting Unhealthy Fats From Your Diet.

Healthy Eating: Changing Your Eating Habits.

Healthy Eating: Staying With Your Eating Plan.

Get active

The more active you are, the more sugar (glucose) your body uses for energy. This keeps the sugar from building up in your blood. Being active also:

Helps your body respond better to insulin and lowers your risk of getting type 2 diabetes.
Helps you reach and stay at a healthy weight and reduce belly fat.
Lowers cholesterol.
Raises high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or "good," cholesterol.
Lowers high blood pressure.

Don't worry. You don't have to sign up for a gym membership or train for a marathon to get the activity you need to manage prediabetes. Even everyday activities can help.

Try to do moderate activity at least 2½ hours a week. Or try to do vigorous activity at least 1¼ hours a week. It's fine to be active in blocks of 10 minutes or more throughout your day and week.

Any type of activity helps, including:

Walking, jogging, swimming, or biking.
Household work, such as vacuuming or gardening.

Moderate activity is safe for most people, but it's always a good idea to talk to your doctor before you start an exercise program.

Answer:

Your level is currently NormalHigh (hyperglycemia).Low (hypoglycemia).

If the level is below 70 and you are experiencing symptoms such as shaking, sweating or difficulty thinking, you will need to raise the number immediately. A quick solution is to eat a few pieces of hard candy or 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey. Recheck your numbers again in 15 minutes to see if the number has gone up. If not, repeat the steps above or call your doctor.

People who experience hypoglycemia several times in a week should call their health care provider. It's important to monitor your levels each day so you can make sure your numbers are within the range. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.

Your blood sugar level is slightly high. You should call your health care provider and ask if laboratory tests to check for diabetes are needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.

Congratulations on taking steps to manage your health.

However, it's important to continue to track your numbers so that you can make lifestyle changes if needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.

Your level is currently normal. However, if you are concerned about diabetes speak with your physician. There may be other risk factors that increase your risk for diabetes.

Your level is high if this reading was taken before eating. Aim for 70-130 before meals and less than 180 two hours after meals.

Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.

One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.

Your blood sugar level may be high, depending on when you last ate. If you have not eaten for at least 8 hours, your blood sugar should be less than 100. If you've eaten within the last 2 hours, your blood sugar should be less than 140. You should call your health care provider and ask if you need laboratory tests to check for diabetes. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.

Blood sugars consistently above 180 warrant prompt medical attention.

Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.

One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.

Your blood sugar level is high. You should call your health care provider and ask if laboratory tests to check for diabetes are needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.

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