Diabetes Prevention

Diabetes

Diabetes Mellitus is a metabolic disorder in which the body has difficulty regulating its blood glucose or blood sugar level. The burden of diabetes is increasing globally, particularly in developing countries. While the causes are complex, but the increase is in large part due to rapid increases in overweight, including obesity and physical inactivity. There is good evidence that a large proportion of cases of diabetes and its complications can be prevented by a healthy diet, regular physical activity, maintaining a normal body weight and avoiding tobacco.

Submitted by PatientsEngage on 1 November 2015

Prevention of Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented but onset of Type 2 diabetes in most cases may be prevented by watching your diet, managing your weight and changing your lifestyle. At the very least the progression of Type 2 diabetes can be managed.

Regular screening for diabetes plays a very important role. Undergoing routine screenings for diabetes, especially if there is a family history of Type 1 / Type 2 diabetes or presence of risk factors can help detect the condition at an early stage and enable timely intervention and management.

Simple steps to prevent Diabetes

Shed the pounds! Lose weight and maintain a healthy BMI to prevent risk of Type 2 Diabetes
Get moving! A daily cardiovascular exercise regime of minimum 30-40 minutes is most beneficial.
Watch what you eat! A diet low in carbohydrates, sugar, fatty & processed foods is increasing becoming the choice for a healthy lifestyle.
Reduce alcohol intake!
Limiting sugary drinks and processed foods: Minimizing the consumption of sugary beverages and processed foods that are high in added sugars and unhealthy fats can help lower the risk of developing diabetes.
Reduce salt intake for maintaining a healthy blood pressure as high blood pressure is associated with an increased risk of diabetes.
Kick the butt! Quitting smoking is known to significantly reduce risk of diabetes and heart conditions.
Unwind! Keep stress at bay by using relaxation techniques such as yoga, deep breathing, meditation etc.

Updated February 2025

See this in an infographic: 6 Easy Ways to Prevent Diabetes

Read more in the Diabetes Management section

References

Changed

25/Feb/2025

Community

Diabetes

Condition

Diabetes

Stories

Diabetes and Menopause: A Twin Challenge

Menopause can wreak havoc on your diabetes control. But there's plenty you can do to better manage diabetes and menopause, recommends leading diabetologist Dr Pradeep Gadge. What is the link between Diabetes and Menopause? During the transitional years of menopause (when menstrual cycles slow down but haven't stopped), estrogen and progesterone hormones are unstable, and cause problems with diabetes management. Higher levels of estrogen usually improves insulin sensitivity, while higher levels…
What to do when your blood sugar drops

Hypoglycaemia or a sharp drop in blood sugar levels can cause severe discomfort and dizziness and, in some extreme cases, even death. Dr Roshani Sanghani, renowned endocrinologist and the founder of Aasaan Health Solutions shares valuable tips on how to tackle a condition which can afflict any person with diabetes at any given time. Many patients are troubled by sudden and unexpected blood sugar levels dropping. When the level drops below 70 mg/dl, it is considered hypogylcemia! Hypogylcaemia…
11 Tips On How To Reduce Weight

Obesity or being overweight is the causative factor for several chronic non-communicable diseases including heart disease, diabetes and certain types of cancers #tbl tr td:nth-child(0) { { width:44px!important; } #tbl tr td:nth-child(1) { { width:141px!important; } #tbl tr td:nth-child(2) { { width:77px!important; } #tbl tr td:nth-child(3) { { width:44px!important; } #tbl tr td:nth-child(4) { { width:141px!important; } #tbl tr td:nth-child(5) { { width:77px!important; } A dramatic increase in…
Overview of Digestive Disorders and Gastrointestinal Diseases

Endoscopy guru and leading gastroenterologist Dr Vipulroy Rathod’s comprehensive interview on gastrointestinal diseases and cancers makes for an enlightening and interesting read. What is Gastroenterology? Gastroenterology is the branch of medicine focused on the digestive system and its disorders. Diseases affecting the gastrointestinal tract, which include the organs from mouth to anus, along the alimentary canal, are the focus of this specialty. Physicians practicing in this field are called…
I Breathe And Sleep Better After I Quit Smoking

Ramesh Koppikar, a heavy smoker for 35 years, made several unsuccessful attempts to quit smoking. It finally took a heart attack for him to break the nicotine addiction and kick the habit for good. Read and share his experience. I started smoking cigarettes at the age of 23 when I was studying engineering at BHU, Varanasi. I was staying in the hostel on campus and my friends and I would go for a walk after dinner. The BHU campus is large and green, hence our walks would be…
Healthy ways to gain weight

Believe it or not people who are thin and underweight are not always healthy and free of illness. They can struggle to put on weight. Our nutritionist Kohila Govindaraju shares tips on healthy meal plan to gain weight. This is also important as people age and lose weight. Being lean sounds great, but being underweight because of poor nutrition doesn't sound healthy at all. Being underweight, you are more likely to pick up infections, a lack of vitamins and minerals will hinder your growth if…
6 Easy Ways to Prevent Diabetes [Infographic]

Dr Anoop Misra, Chairman National Diabetes, Obesity and Cholesterol Foundation (N-DOC0 says diabetes is 80% dependent on lifestyle. Genes need to interact with the environment for expression. Even if a gene for diabetes is present in an individual, healthy lifestyle can alter gene expression in a favourable manner.
Hypoglycaemia: The highs and the lows

Jimmy Ong from Singapore relates his personal experiences of being a patient with Type 1 Diabetes and suffering frequent bouts of hypoglycaemia to learn diabetes management the hard way Early Diagnosis I was diagnosed as a Type 1 diabetic in June 1979 at the age of 28 when I also happened to be overweight. At the time of diagnosis, I had very high glucose in my blood, a count of about 23. Symptoms I was urinating abnormally and drinking liquid excessively. I used to wake up a…
How diabetes affects your sex life

Many people with diabetes encounter difficulties with sex but are hesitant to address them. Some of you have asked us anonymously. Diabetologist Dr Rajiv Kovil from Mumbai offers some information and advice. Sexual problems (sexual dysfunction) are common among people with diabetes. Both men and women with diabetes experience sexual difficulties as a result of complications from the disease. How common is the problem? Although no official statistics are available for the extent…
Aqua therapy - a fitness solution beyond joint pains

Struggling with joint aches and pains and not able to exercise. Is Aqua Therapy an option for you? PatientsEngage speaks to Mumbai-based Deepali Jain, a certified aqua specialist and fitness expert and Sucheta Talwar who conquered fear of water and severe arthritis with aqua therapy. What is Aqua Therapy? Aqua Therapy is a specialized form of water-based exercises and work outs for relaxation, fitness, health benefits and rehabilitation. It refers to the use of water for…