Just when you think the holidays are over, these late winter months still bring temptations to over-indulge, especially the sugary treats of Valentine’s Day and the goodies found in Easter baskets. This article addresses pre-diabetes and some preventative measures.
Dear Doctor:
I have been told that I am a pre-diabetic patient. What does that mean?
Dear Reader:
Pre-diabetes is a condition that indicates an early impairment of carbohydrates or sugar tolerance. In other words, the patient cannot properly process dietary carbohydrates or sugars. This condition is usually a precursor for diabetes.
In most cases, the patient is asymptomatic and does not suffer from any particular concerns. Pre-diabetes is usually diagnosed through a routine fasting blood work. Most patients with this condition tend to be overweight or obese.
The initial treatment plan for patients with pre-diabetes usually consists of a course of conservative management by encouraging low sugar, low fat diet, aerobic exercises and weight loss. In the following few months, the patient’s blood sugars are checked and monitored closely to make sure that patient does not develop diabetes. Annual eye exams, preventive care and regular follow up visits are recommended for these patients.
Dr. Behrooz Saffari is a Family Medicine Physician for the UT Health Science Center at Houston and provides patient care at UT Physicians at Cinco Ranch located at 23923 Cinco Ranch Blvd., Katy, TX 77494. To schedule an appointment, please call 713-486-5300.
