November is Diabetes Awareness Month. As Cali’flour Foods continues our efforts to support healthy lifestyles we recognize education and awareness are essential!
There’s a lot of information floating around about Diabetes I and II. Unfortunately, one critical stage of diabetes is often overlooked — prediabetes. A precursor to diabetes mellitus, it’s unusual to experience signs and symptoms. Lack of symptoms makes understanding your risk factors that much more important. You are probably familiar with the more talked about symptoms, like being overweight, lack of exercise, and family history. However, there are other symptoms and risk factors that may surprise you:
A history of gestational diabetes: women who experience gestational diabetes or give birth to children weighing over 9 lbs are at increased risk of prediabetes.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): PCOS has been known to cause higher levels of circulating insulin, a risk factor for prediabetes and diabetes.
Metabolic syndrome: metabolic syndrome causes excess weight gain; excess weight gain in return causes insulin resistance, resulting in a rise of blood sugar levels.
Stress: long periods of stress raise cortisol levels triggering an increase in glucose levels.
Being over the age of 45: studies reveal the risk of developing prediabetes increases over the age of 45; this is potentially due to decreased activity, muscle mass, and diet.
Make sure your doctor is aware of your history and risk factors. Blood tests can diagnose prediabetes. If you feel you are at risk, request a test-don’t be shy! Prediabetes is REVERSIBLE. Lifestyle changes alone can significantly reduce the likelihood of developing diabetes mellitus. Let’s stay ahead of this devastating disease!
https://www.cdc.gov/diabetestv/prediabetes.html