How to Reduce Diabetes Risk Factors

According the American Diabetes Association one out of five Americans is at risk for Type 2 diabetes. Nearly twenty-five percent of people who suffer from the disease are unaware they have diabetes. Early detection is essential for preventing and treating diabetes. For many people a diagnosis comes seven to ten years after the onset of diabetes.

Anyone who is over 45 and sedentary, overweight, has a family history of diabetes, or is African American, Latino, Native American, and Asian American is at risk for diabetes. Complications of Type 2 diabetes are heart disease, kidney disease, blindness, stroke, amputation, and death. To reduce diabetes risk factors, follow the tips below.

Instructions

• 1

  Reduce diabetes risk factors by losing weight. If you're over 45 and overweight, your odds of having diabetes increase dramatically.

• 2

  Exercise at least three to four times a week. Exercise is one of the best things people can do to reduce diabetes risk factors. Exercise helps the body use insulin better and process glucose.

• 3

  Examine your blood pressure, cholesterol, and HDL (high-density lipoprotein). If your blood pressure is high, your cholesterol is over 200, and your HDL is less than 35, you are at risk for diabetes. Talk with your doctor about starting a diet and exercise program. Even a small change in diet and exercise can significantly reduce diabetes risk factors.

• 4

  Know your family's genetic predisposition to diabetes. If someone in your immediate family like a parent or sibling suffers from diabetes, your chance of getting diabetes increases. Diabetes is also more common in Native Americans, African Americans, Latinos, and Asian Americans. If you are genetically predisposed to diabetes, Make sure to watch your diet, make sure to exercise, and make sure to get regular screening to reduce diabetes risk factors.

• 5

  If you're at risk for diabetes, get tested immediately before you experience symptoms of diabetes. Symptoms of diabetes include excessive thirst, slow healing sores, and frequent urination. If you are at risk for diabetes and wait until you have these symptoms, treatment for diabetes does not work as well as it would if you were diagnosed and treated earlier.