Pre-diabetes: A wake-up call, not a life sentence
We are probably all familiar with diabetes mellitus, but what about pre-diabetes? Diabetes mellitus, also
commonly known as diabetes, is a medical condition in which our body does not respond to insulin or is unable
to produce insulin; it is also unable to utilise the glucose in our blood, leading to high levels. The early
part of this condition is called pre-diabetes.
One is considered pre-diabetic when blood sugar
levels are higher than the normal range but did not go beyond levels that will deem a person to be diabetic.
Just like type 2 diabetes in the early stages, there are no obvious symptoms for pre-diabetes as well. There
are more than 400,000 diabetics in Singapore today, with about 1 in 3 not being aware of their condition, and
this number is expected to rise to a staggering 1 million by 2050. This means that going for regular health
screening is crucial so that your doctor can pick up any signs of pre-diabetes as early as possible through
blood tests.
Pre-diabetes could be alarming, but the condition can actually be reversed with proper diet control and lifestyle modifications like regular exercise and quitting smoking. However, if you neglect the condition, it will set in and progress to become diabetes without intervention - a leading cause of kidney failure. Here are some tips that you can follow to nip diabetes in the budding stage of pre-diabetes and lower your risk of type 2 diabetes.
Go for regular screening to detect early signs of diabetes, especially for those with a family history of the condition, as they have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
From 30 December this year, look out for Nutri-Grade labels when purchasing pre-packaged or freshly prepared beverages. Choose options with grade ‘A’ to avoid drinks that are high in sugar and saturated fat content.
Drink water instead of sweetened drinks. Excessive intake of sugar may lead to weight gain and an increased risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Have a well-balanced diet by following Health Promotion Board’s “My Healthy Plate” as a guide.
Exercise regularly. It helps in controlling your blood sugar level and body weight.
Limit alcohol intake to no more than 1 standard drink for women and 2 standard drinks for men per day.
Remember that early detection is key to reversing pre-diabetes and will make a difference in your life. Take action now for a healthier you!
