Natalia Zavodchikov on Preventative Medicine Helping Pittsburgh

When we are not sick, we often don’t think about how our daily health impacts our future. But doctors know that it is better to be proactive than reactive when it comes to health. Many people have now heard the term “prediabetic,” as it now been around for 10 years. Why are doctors diagnosing someone with a pre-disease? An early diagnosis can help ward off the disease before it even happens. Doctors have realized that they need to do more than just suggest a healthy diet and exercise; they need to give people a reason to change their habits.

Pittsburgh

America has a problem with diabetes. In a 2015 report, the CDC found that 30.3 million Americans were living with diabetes. There are so many people living with this disease that could be prevented. Pittsburgh is part of what is known as the “Diabetes Belt,” which is made up of 644 counties in 15 states, mostly in the southern United States. The Diabetes Belt is known to have a higher rate of diabetes than the rest of the nation. Allegheny County, where Pittsburgh is located, has higher rates of heart disease, diabetes and strokes than the state and the nation. It is important to take measures to prevent getting any of these diseases, especially since it is so common.

Prevention

Receiving a pre-disease diagnosis should be taken seriously. It means that your physician knows that you are at a high risk to develop the disease if no changes to your lifestyle are made. Some ways to prevent a diagnosis is to change your exercise and eating habits. Upon hearing your doctor say that you are at risk for health issues, you may be alarmed, but unsure of how to make these life changes. When in this contemplation stage of your prevention journey, focus on how your life would change for the better after the alterations are made. Once you are ready to take action, start by incorporating exercise and healthy foods any way that you can. Start taking the stairs or change one of your meals to a healthier alternative. Begin to make and prioritize the time for these new habits. Remember to continue at it because it takes time for old habits to die and new habits to stick.