November Health Tip

by J. Renee Livsey, RN-BC |  November 1, 2021

 
Due to the ongoing pandemic, many people have been working from home. Because of the sedentary lifestyle and resultant weight gain, newly diagnosed prediabetes are of concern. When it comes to prediabetes, there are no clear symptoms—so you may have it and not know it. Here’s why that’s important: Before people develop type 2 diabetes, they almost always have prediabetes—blood sugar levels that are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. You may have some of the symptoms of diabetes or may even have some of the complications. Therefore, it is important to have a yearly physical with bloodwork, or seek medical care of you develop symptoms. If caught early we can keep prediabetes from becoming type 2 diabetes (non-Insulin required). Type 1 (lifetime Insulin required).
 
The following symptoms of diabetes are typical. However, some people with diabetes have symptoms so mild that they go unnoticed.

• Urinating often
• Feeling very thirsty; Feeling very hungry—even though you are eating
• Extreme fatigue
• Blurry vision
• Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal
• Tingling, pain, or numbness in the hands/feet

 
For some people with prediabetes, prompt treatment, as well as moderate lifestyle changes like increasing daily physical activity and eating healthier can return blood sugar levels to a normal range, effectively preventing or delaying the development of type 2 diabetes. Keep in mind that, according to the CDC, having either type 1 or type 2 diabetes can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19, so getting a COVID-19 vaccination and booster are recommended.
 
Resource: https://www.diabetes.org/diabetes