Diabetes is a condition that affects more than 37 million Americans. There is no known cure, and people with diabetes often must make major lifestyle changes to stay healthy. The chronic condition has the potential to cause many health complications.

Despite its widespread prevalence, there are many misconceptions about diabetes and prevention.

Can you prevent diabetes? Yes, you can, but only one type.

Type 1 vs. Type 2

There are two types of diabetes. Type 1 is a genetic condition that causes the immune system to attack and destroy insulin-producing cells. Because it's genetic, most people realize they have it at a very young age. There's no way to prevent Type 1 diabetes.

However, it's a different story for Type 2.

With Type 2 diabetes, people experience problems with how their bodies regulate blood sugar levels and use glucose as fuel. This form of diabetes is preventable. All it takes is manageable lifestyle changes.

Type 2 diabetes often affects people who are overweight. Therefore, losing weight is the first step. If you speak to a counselor for diabetes, they recommend changing up your diet to consume healthier foods and get more active. Even if you're at high risk for diabetes, these changes can delay or prevent it!

Prediabetes: Your Sign to Change

Before people receive a proper diabetes diagnosis, health care providers often tell them they are prediabetic. That means that blood sugar levels are high. But they're not high enough for diabetes. It means you're on the verge of becoming diabetic.

Prediabetes is more common than actual diabetes. It affects roughly 96 percent of adult Americans, and most people don't even realize how close they are to diabetes.

Take that as your sign to take action. Consider going to a counselor for diabetes and making the necessary changes. Ditching high-fat and high-sugar foods in favor of healthier alternatives can make a huge difference. The same goes for becoming more active.

If you make an effort to lose weight, you can avoid diabetes and reverse prediabetes. There's still time, but it's up to you to make a change.

Author Resource:-

Alester Brown writes about physiotherapy. She advises people on health care, online therapy, anxiety discussion groups & depression message boards. You can find her thoughts at social anxiety blog.