“A Touch of Sugar?”

 Have you been told that you have “a touch of sugar” or that your blood sugar is “a bit on the high side”?  If you are someone with prediabetes, this may be the case. And you may be tempted to minimize the importance of this or you may even be tempted to ignore it altogether. But prediabetes is not “a touch of sugar”.

 Prediabetes refers to blood sugar levels that are higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes (refer to * table below). Approximately 6 million Canadians have prediabetes. If left untreated it is likely to develop into type 2 diabetes.

 The good news is that you can use this early warning sign as a way to possibly change your future. It is the chance to either delay or perhaps even prevent type 2 diabetes altogether.  

 Research has shown that if you increase your physical activity and lose even a small amount of weight, you can make a difference on your health and well-being. Your doctor may even prescribe medication to help you in your efforts to normalize your blood sugar.

 When planning some lifestyle changes, start with small steps. Setting too big of a goal can lead to frustration. And remember, you are not alone. Use the support that exists within your community. There are services throughout Lanark, Leeds and Grenville counties.

 There are a variety of exercise programs that are now available, for all ages, and some are free of charge. The “Get With It” walking program is one such program. It involves “Walking in the Halls” of participating local schools and it is set to start up again in the fall. Stay tuned!

 If you are not sure if you have prediabetes, then talk to your doctor. The Canadian Diabetes Association recommends that you have a fasting blood sugar done at the age of 40 and then every 3 years after that. But if you have diabetes risk factors then you should be tested more frequently or tested earlier. Diabetes risk factors include:

 ü  Having a parent, brother or sister with type 2 diabetes;

ü  Being a member of a high-risk population (Aboriginal, Hispanic, Asian, South Asian, or African descent);

ü  Having prediabetes;

ü  Having diabetes complications such as eye, nerve, or kidney damage;

ü  Having heart disease;

ü  Having a history of diabetes during pregnancy (gestational diabetes);

ü  Having high blood pressure or high cholesterol;

ü  Being overweight, especially around your belly.

Take the steps to find out if you have prediabetes. And if you do, give yourself the opportunity to have a future that might not include type 2 diabetes. You play an important role in this. We can help!

Rideau Valley Diabetes Services offers sessions guided by diabetes educators to support you in your efforts. You can also join us for label reading in a grocery store tour. Or learn how to make healthy foods taste great at one of our cooking classes! There is no cost and you do not need a doctor’s referral.  To make an appointment, just call us at:

Smiths Falls office (613) 284-2558 or toll free 1-877-321-4500

Brockville office: (613) 498-1555

We look forward to hearing from you!

* Diagnosing Prediabetes: