A Reversible Diagnosis

About 30 million adults in the U.S. have type 2 diabetes. And another 84 million have a prediabetes diagnosis. When a person has diabetes, the body cannot use blood sugar effectively. If uncontrolled, this can lead to nerve damage, kidney damage, and even vision loss. Fortunately, if a person catches symptoms early, diabetes prevention is possible. In fact, a prediabetes diagnosis is entirely reversible. Consider these 3 early warning signs and what to do to prevent diabetes.

1. Drinking too much water?

Extreme thirst is one of the telltale early signs of diabetes. If excessive thirst is due to high blood sugar, drinking water won’t help a person feel less thirsty. What’s more, uncontrolled blood sugar can also lead to frequent urination because the kidneys can’t keep up with the high amount of glucose.

2. You can’t stop eating

The body uses sugar to feed cells. When cells can’t absorb that glucose, the body is continually looking for more fuel. The result? Extreme hunger is hard to satisfy. Some people may experience significant weight gain, while others may struggle with unexplained weight loss.

3. Nerve pain and blurred vision

Unexplained tingling in the hands, feet, fingers, or toes is a common sign of diabetic neuropathy. While this numbness is more common for people who have had diabetes for a long time, the symptom can be among the first for some people. Additionally, blurred vision can be one of the early signs of unmanaged diabetes. Usually, blurry vision doesn’t last; however, with prolonged high blood sugar, a person may be at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy.

What you can do

Thankfully, people can prevent diabetes with a healthy lifestyle. Clean up the diet by choosing whole grains, fresh fruits and veggies, lean protein, and healthy fat. Aim for 30-60 minutes of physical exercise at least 5 days a week. Both these tips can help people lose excess weight, another risk factor for diabetes. Research has shown that losing just 5-10% of body weight can go a long way in reversing prediabetes. And waist size matters, too. Women who have a waist of fewer than 35 inches and men with a waist size of fewer than 40 inches are less likely to develop diabetes.

Try supplements

Some specific supplements, such as cinnamon and vitamin D, can help lower blood sugar. Speak with a healthcare provider or pharmacist to find out if an extra supplement may be the right option for preventing diabetes.