Home

helps physicians and healthcare professionals

Erectile Dysfunction

helps physicians and healthcare professionals

Doctor123.org

helps physicians and healthcare professionals

Prediabetes Discharge Instructions


About this topic


When you eat, your body breaks down all sugars and starches into glucose. Your body needs insulin to use glucose for energy. The insulin takes the glucose from your blood into your cells. Your body may not have enough insulin or your body may not recognize insulin. Then, the glucose or sugar stays in your blood instead of going into your cells. This causes your blood sugar levels to be too high. ‚  
When you have diabetes: ‚  
  • The cells can no longer respond to insulin. Then, sugar enters the cells too slowly. This is how type 2 diabetes develops.
  • The pancreas does not make enough insulin. The sugar cannot get into your cells. This is how type 1 diabetes develops.
  • The sugar starts to build up in your blood. This is common to all types of diabetes.

Prediabetes happens when there is too much sugar in your blood. Your blood sugar is higher than normal but is not high enough to be called diabetes. ‚  
Over time, having too much sugar in your blood can cause serious problems. You may not feel sick, but the high sugar can damage your nerves, kidneys, and eyes. You may also have heart problems or stroke. It is important to treat prediabetes. Once you have diabetes, it does not go away. ‚  

What care is needed at home?


  • Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
  • If you are overweight, losing just 10 to15 pounds can improve your blood sugar.
  • Increase your activity level by:
    • Taking a walk each day. Try a brisk walk for 30 minutes.
    • Taking the stairs instead of the elevator.
    • When doing errands, park your car at the back of the parking lot.
  • Quit smoking. If you have problems quitting, ask your doctor for help.
  • Learn how to check and control your blood sugar and blood pressure.

What follow-up care is needed?


  • Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
  • Get your blood sugar tested every 1 or 2 years.

What drugs may be needed?


The doctor may order drugs to: ‚  
  • Lower your blood sugar
  • Control high blood pressure
  • Control your cholesterol level

What changes to diet are needed?


  • Eat healthy foods and change your eating habits. This means you should:
    • Limit the amount of the high fatty or high sugar foods you eat
    • Use olive oil instead of vegetable oil or butter
    • Add fish in your meals 2 to 3 times a week
    • Eat foods high in fiber, like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nuts
    • Eat nonstarchy vegetables, like spinach, carrots, broccoli, and green beans
  • Drink water instead of sugar-filled drinks like soda, sports drinks, or fruit drinks.
  • Limit or avoid beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol).

What problems could happen?


  • High levels of acids called ketones build up in the blood. This is a very serious problem.
  • Infection
  • Injury to blood vessels and nerves
  • Diabetes

What can be done to prevent this health problem?


  • Talk with your doctor about changes in your diet and exercises that are right for you.
  • Control your weight.
  • Know your blood sugar goals. Check your blood sugar levels at different times of the day. Keep notes on foods and drinks that increase your blood sugar.
  • Know the signs of high blood sugar and get help when needed.

When do I need to call the doctor?


  • Signs of high blood sugar. These include sleepiness, blurry eyesight, passing urine more often, increased thirst, breath has a fruity sweet smell, upset stomach and throwing up, dizziness, or passing out.
  • Signs of fluid loss. These include dark-colored urine or no urine for more than 8 hours, dry mouth and tongue, dry skin, sunken eyes, lack of energy, feeling faint, or passing out.
  • Blood sugar levels are high for more than 2 days
  • Short of breath
  • You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days you are feeling worse

Teach Back: Helping You Understand


The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚  
  • I can tell you about my condition.
  • I can tell you what changes I need to make with my diet or activities.
  • I can tell you what I will do if I have signs of high blood sugar.

Where can I learn more?


American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics ‚  
http://www.eatright.org/Public/content.aspx?id=6442477242&terms=prediabetes ‚  
American Diabetes Association ‚  
http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/prevention/pre-diabetes/ ‚  
Center for Disease Control and Prevention ‚  
http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/consumer/prediabetes.htm ‚  
National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse ‚  
http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/prediabetes_ES/ ‚  

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer


This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚  

Copyright


Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚  
Copyright © 2016 - 2017
Doctor123.org | Disclaimer