Diabetes has become an epidemic in this country, and it’s impacting people of all ages. Even Type 2 diabetes, which used to be known as “adult-onset” diabetes, is being seen more and more frequently in children and teens. This is the most common form of diabetes that our Lawrenceville doctors treat.

Why Diabetes is Dangerous

With Type 2 diabetes, the body isn’t producing enough insulin or not efficiently producing it, causing a spike in blood sugar levels. Elevated blood sugar levels can cause everything from fatigue and vision problems to nerve and tissue damage, inability to heal from injuries and destruction of the kidneys.

While diabetes is largely preventable and manageable through medication and lifestyle changes, it still takes too many lives, even here in the U.S. Hispanic people have a higher risk of dying from diabetes than non-white Hispanics. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, diabetes is the fifth leading cause of death among Hispanics. For non-white Hispanics, it’s the seventh leading cause. The prevention and treatment of diabetes is something the doctors at our Lawrenceville clinic feel strongly about.

Don’t wait until you or your children are diagnosed with diabetes to start taking action, particularly if you have a family history of the disease. Preventative measures can go a long way to helping ensure that you don’t get it.

A Few Lifestyle Changes Can Make a Big Difference

Diabetes prevention includes some of the same lifestyle changes that we recommend for a number of other conditions. Since lack of exercise and obesity can contribute to Type 2 diabetes, eating healthy, increasing your physical activity and shedding some weight are crucial. It’s been found that people who reduce their weight by just seven percent and exercise regularly have a 60 percent lower risk of developing diabetes. If you weigh 150 pounds, that means less than 11 pounds.

Our increasingly sedentary lifestyle that involves sitting in front of a screen for multiple hours a day has also contributed to the rise in Type 2 diabetes. That’s why it’s essential to increase your physical activity. It’s best to combine some type of resistance training such as weight lifting with aerobic exercise that gets your heart rate up, such as riding a bike or running. It’s essential to consult with your physician before significantly changing your fitness regimen (or starting one).

Taking Control of Your Diet

If you’re striving to prevent or control diabetes, make sure that your diet is filled with high-fiber foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, seeds and nuts. This will help control your blood sugar, keep you feeling full and improve your heart health.

Whole grains are particularly important. They can be found in breads, cereals and pasta products. When shopping for whole grain food, make sure you see the word “whole” on the packaging, as in “100% Whole Grain” or “100% Whole Wheat.”

Of course, loading up on the pasta without keeping veggies, fruits and beans in your diet probably isn’t good either. Our Lawrenceville doctors can advise you on how to shop and cook for your family with a focus on a healthy, balanced diet.

If you have any of the risk factors for diabetes, a family history of it, or you are experiencing symptoms that concern you, it’s essential to have a check-up. Your doctor will decide whether testing is warranted. If you do have diabetes, we will work with you to treat and manage it. Call our Lawrenceville family health center today or contact us online to schedule an appointment for yourself or a family member.