FOX 17 Women’s Health Expert, Dr. Diana Bitner is outlining things you need to know if you have or are at-risk for diabetes.
There are some things that put you at a higher risk.
- You have a family history of the diabetes
- Your mom had gestational diabetes
- Not eating healthy
- Lack of sleep
Diabetes causes damage to tissue, illness, premature aging and death if not treated.
And— diabetes just keeps on giving. Let’s explore what you’ll take home along with this diagnosis:
Fatigue
Blurry vision
Sugar cravings
Hunger
Numbness or tingling in hands or feet
Weight gain, especially belly fat
Susceptibility to infections
Tissue damage— like your joints, muscles, eyes, skin, nails, and hair
Medication dependence
Increased risk for heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and dementia
More intense menopause symptoms
Shorter life-span
Plus— Each issue grows in intensity as the disease progresses
Why aren’t you doing all you can to avoid it?
FOX 17 Women’s Tip of the Week
Know your numbers and get ahead of issues before they get the best of you!
Ideal numbers:
Fasting Blood Sugar > 100
A1C
Normal: < 5.7
Prediabetes: 5.7-6.4
Diabetes: > 6.5
Waist Circumference (measured at your hip bones below the belly button) < 35”
Body Fat < 35%
Muscle Mass > 24%
Turn it around
Exercise— aim to put yourself into fat-loss mode every day.
Eat— increase your fiber, lean meats, green, leafy veggies, and low sugar fruits.
Drink—low-sugar drinks like water. You need more water.
Sleep—more of it. Adults need 8 hours every night. Teens need 8-10.
Treat yourself—your perimenopause or menopause, actually. Get with your doc, feel better, avoid diabetes.
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Talk to your doctor. If you’re in need of support, they’re the ones who’ll be able to recommend it for you. If you’re in need of medication to jump start this mission or keep it going long-term, they’ll know just what works for your body.
