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Prediabetes - Home Treatment
Several studies have shown that home treatment for prediabetes is the most effective way to treat prediabetes and prevent the progression to type 2 diabetes.14, 6 Home treatment consists of:
Monitor your weight
Most people with prediabetes are overweight (body mass index [BMI] of 25 or greater). If you have a BMI of 25 or higher, losing just 5% to 10% of your body weight may help you prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.11 A healthy weight helps your body use insulin properly. One recent study showed that losing weight improves insulin resistance in people with prediabetes. The degree of improvement is related to the amount of weight lost.12
For more information on determining your BMI,
use the
Interactive Tool: Is Your Weight Increasing Your Health Risks?
Eat a balanced diet
If you have prediabetes, you may be able to prevent or delay the disease by eating a balanced diet. Of the three major nutrients (carbohydrate, protein, and fat), carbohydrate has the greatest effect on blood sugar.
Limit fat in your
diet. Eat foods low in
saturated fat and high in
soluble fiber. Talk to your doctor about
developing a plan for healthy eating.
Planning meals to manage prediabetes often means looking at food in a new way. There are several easy ways to adapt your diet. A registered dietitian can help you make a meal plan that fits your lifestyle. For more information on one type of meal planning, see:
Exercise regularly
Experts say to do either of these things for exercise:7
- Moderate activity for at least 2½ hours a week. One way to do this is to be active 30 minutes a day, at least 5 days a week. Moderate activity means things like brisk walking, brisk cycling, or ballroom dancing. But any activities-including daily chores-that raise your heart rate can be included. You notice your heart beating faster with this kind of activity.
- Vigorous activity for at least 1¼ hours a week. One way to do this is to be active 25 minutes a day, at least 3 days a week. Vigorous activity means things like jogging, cycling fast, or cross-country skiing. You breathe rapidly and your heart beats much faster with this kind of activity.
It's fine to be active in blocks of 10 minutes or more throughout your day and week. You can choose to do one or both types of activity.
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.
Exercise helps control your blood sugar by using glucose for energy during and after activity. Exercise helps your body respond better to insulin and lowers your risk of getting diabetes. It also helps you maintain a healthy weight; lower high cholesterol; raise high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or "good," cholesterol; and lower high blood pressure. These benefits also help prevent cardiovascular disease. You may lower your risk of getting diabetes even more by exercising for longer periods of time during each exercise session.
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Prediabetes Topics
Indication
Uroxatral® (alfuzosin HCl 10 mg extended-release tablets) is an alpha1-blocker for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of BPH.
Important Safety Information
Do not take UROXATRAL if you have liver problems or if you are taking antifungal drugs like ketoconazole or itraconazole, or HIV drugs like ritonavir.
UROXATRAL can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, especially when starting treatment. This may lead to fainting, dizziness, and lightheadedness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do any dangerous activity until you know how UROXATRAL will affect you. This is especially important if you already have a problem with low blood pressure or take medicines to treat high blood pressure. There may be an increased risk of low blood pressure and fainting when taking UROXATRAL in combination with blood pressure medication or nitrates, or erectile dysfunction medication.
If considering cataract surgery (clouding of the eyes), tell your eye surgeon that you are currently taking UROXATRAL or have previously been treated with an alpha-blocker.
Before taking UROXATRAL, tell your doctor if you have kidney problems.
Also, tell your doctor if you or any family member(s) have or take medications for a rare heart condition known as congenital prolongation of the QT interval.
BPH and prostate cancer can cause the same symptoms. However, UROXATRAL is not a treatment for prostate cancer.
The most common side effects with UROXATRAL are dizziness, upper respiratory tract infection, headache, and tiredness.
Please see UROXATRAL full prescribing information.
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