Take control!

What to do if you have IGT

You may be at risk of developing diabetes, but the good news is it's not too late to control your blood sugar levels for the long term. Studies have shown that people with IGT can prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes by up to 58% by exercising regularly, losing weight and adopting a healthy diet.

Some experts recommend that people with IGT should reduce their weight (gradually, with a healthy diet) by 5% to 10% and exercise with moderate- to vigorous-intensity for 30 minutes daily. Just losing 10 to 15 pounds can make a real difference. Taking these measures now can help return blood glucose levels to a normal range.

If you have IGT, your physician or primary health care provider will probably advise you to follow a balanced diet, control your weight, exercise regularly, and if you smoke, to stop smoking. You should also have a blood test every 6-12 months to measure your fasting blood glucose levels and/or A1C, to make sure you have not developed diabetes. You should also have regular blood pressure and cholesterol tests to assess your risk of developing heart disease.

The most important part of managing IGT is through your diet. And if you're overweight, losing excess pounds will help. Keep in mind that losing weight slowly (about 1-2 kilogram per month) instead of using fad or drastic diets will help you keep the weight off.

Being more physically active will help you control your weight and reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. You don't need to be a super endurance athlete to control your weight; enjoy activities such as walking, gardening and dancing, and see where it takes you!

All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2023. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Impaired-Glucose-Tolerance