However it does mean that you are susceptible to developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease if you do nothing about it.

Unfortunately, more often than not, there are no physical symptoms to warn you if you are in a pre-diabetes stage. So it’s worth getting yourself checked out and, if you fall into any of these categories, ask your physician if you are likely to be at risk of pre-diabetes:

* You are overweight and you are aged 45 or older

* Your weight is OK and you’re aged 45+. Ask your doctor during a routine check-up if testing is appropriate for you

* You are an adult under age 45 and you are overweight

* You have high blood pressure; low HDL cholesterol and high triglycerides

* Your family has a history of diabetes

* There’s a history of gestational diabetes in your family

* You have given birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds

* You belong to an ethnic or minority group that has a high risk for diabetes, such as African American, American Indian, Asian American, Pacific Islander, or Hispanic American/Latino.

The good news is, if after testing you discover that you do have pre-diabetes; your blood-sugar levels are rather higher than they should be but not in the diabetes range, you can take positive action to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

* Reduce the amount on your plate – eating just a little less helps reduce your risk factor.

* Avoid snacks; if you must snack go for a healthy rather than sugar-laden option.

* Drink a glass of water 10 minutes before eating to take the edge of your appetite so you don’t overindulge in food.

* Choose whole-grain foods or sugar-free foods.

* Take a little more exercise; such as walking up the stairs instead of taking the lift or an escalator.

* Don’t shop for food when you are feeling hungry.  You’ll be more tempted to buy the foods that increase your blood-sugars; add on weight and generally create a higer risk of moving from your pre-diabetes state into being a fully diagnosed type 2 diabetic.

Taking these and other simple actions can reduce your risk of turning pre-diabetes into type 2 diabetes.

Lauren Brown, the lead author of the study, researched the history of 2,400 individuals who had been diagnosed with depression. According to Brown, patients taking both selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are at the most risk for developing type 2 diabetes.

While the study needs further research to better understand the relationship between antidepressants and developing type 2 diabetes, it is important that patients of depression as well as diabetes receive educational information on both conditions and the link to better assess and treat their potential illnesses, according to the study.

What are TCAs and SSRIs?

Tricyclic antidepressants are used to treat abnormalities involving neurotransmitters serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine, according to the Mayo Clinic. The TCAs “inhibit the reabsorption of serotonin and norepinephrin” and block certain cell receptors. TCAs were first introduced to the market in the 1960s and remained a top treatment of depression among patients through the 1980s until the development of SSRIs. Common side effects that have been associated with TCAs include:

* constipation, urinary retention

* drowsiness and dizziness

* dry mouth

* blurred vision

* impaired sexual function

* increased heart rate

* headache

* increased appetite, weight gain

* weakness

* low blood pressure or increased heart rate

* nausea

According to the Mayo Clinic, patients of TCAs may have issues with their blood sugar levels, but the drug has never been linked directly to having caused diabetes.

Health Insite, an initiative by the Australian government, describes SSRIs as a group of antidepressants that activate nerve cells within the brain to regulate serotonin levels. Some of the most common SSRI side effects include the following, according to the Harvard Medical School:

* insomnia

* rashes

* headaches

* joint and muscle pain

* diarrhea, nausea or upset stomach

* potential risk of stomach or uterine bleeding

* diminished sexual interest/desire

* impaired sexual function

* suicide and increased suicidal thinking

Patients are advised to discuss any sudden change in moods, and, with the increased risk of developing diabetes, patients taking both SSRIs and TCAs should consult their physician if weight gain or loss begins to affect moods.

What Determines A Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosis?

Individuals who feel they may suffer from type 2 diabetes will likely receive one or all of the following tests, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDD):

* fasting plasma glucose test

* oral glucose tolerance test

* random plasma glucose test

It is important to know the signs and symptoms of diabetes in order to receive diagnosis and treatment of the condition immediately, as the condition can worsen if left untreated. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) reported the following diabetes symptoms for individuals to watch for:

* frequent urination

* extreme hunger

* blurry vision

* irritability

* extreme thirst

* increased fatigue

* unexplained weight loss

It is extremely important for patients suffering from depression to contact a medical professional if they feel they may suffer from type 2 diabetes as well. If diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, it is important to become aware of the potential risks involved with consuming type 2 diabetes medications such as Avandia.

One such drug is Avandia, which has been linked to heart disease and bone fracture among patients; the drug was approved for market in 1999 from GlaxoSmithKline. Individuals who have suffered from complications related to Avandia should receive a free consultation from a pharmaceutical attorney regarding their condition and the side effects that have caused additional harm to an individual. Avandia patients may be eligible for earning monetary compensation because of the side effects caused by the drug, which may be irreversible.

Copyright (c) 2008 Katie Kelley

The only way out is to get a check up done once in a while so as to rule out pre diabetes. Consult your doctor about the risks of pre diabetes and diabetes if you are over 45 years of age as well as overweight. Even those who are below 45 years but are overweight stand the risk of having this stage can progress into diabetes.

If you suffer from high blood pressure you could develop pre diabetes. Along with this if you have low HDL and high triglycerides you stand similar risks. A family history of diabetes and gestational diabetes are high risk factors for this stage. Women who have had large babies, over 9 pounds in weight are also susceptible to the problem.

At the same time certain races are more prone to developing the stage and finally diabetes. Ethnic and minority groups like, African American, American

Indian, Asian American, Pacific Islander, or Hispanic American/Latino are high-risk groups.

Now for the good news, if you happen to be in the stage, you can still control your blood sugar levels to prevent it from developing into diabetes. However, you will have to be sincere in your efforts because it takes just a little negligence for blood sugar levels to shoot up, especially if you fall in the risk category.

The most important thing is to make some dietary changes. Eat healthy. Shun sugary foods while opting for whole grain and sugar free foods. If you are into snacking, make healthful snacks a part of your life. Another important factor that will determine whether or not your pre-diabetes will develop into diabetes, is the amount of food that you eat. Cut down on the quantity of food that you put in your plate. In this respect a useful tip is to drink a glass of water a short while before eating so that you are not ravenous when you begin your meal. Also, try not to shop for food when you are hungry. It has been reported that shopping on an empty stomach makes you go for foods that elevate blood sugar levels.

Exercising is crucial in preventing this stage from moving into the diabetes stage, so make it an integral part of your lifestyle. Remember, that in general any measures that tend to lead to weight gain will also increase your chances of becoming a diabetes patient from a pre diabetes stage person. Look to lose weight and avoid sugar by making dietary and lifestyle changes and you can surely preempt pre diabetes from becoming diabetes.

The second form of diabetes, known as Type II, is approaching near-epidemic proportions. Most doctors and experts agree that the source of the problem is in fact the obesity that is associated with an improper diet. There actually seems to be a correlation between the problems with diabetes and the obesity issue. Today, individuals eat foods that are high in fat, high in calories, high in carbohydrates, and low in nutritional value. Most people think of diabetics as individuals who eat a high amount of sugar, but for the most part, individuals with poor diets are also at risk for developing diabetes.

A diabetic meal plan that helps a diabetic manage his or her weight is a great way to prevent or manage diabetes. Although there is not much that can be done to keep people from being genetically predisposed to the disease, there are preventative measures that any individual can take to fend off this condition.

Keeping track of one’s weights is probably the best approach that an individual can take to prevent diabetes from developing. Most experts, and a series of studies, have stated that overweight individuals stand a greater risk of developing diabetes than individuals who are not overweight.

When it comes to the issue of preventing diabetes, managing one’s weight is rule number one. Individuals should develop a diabetic meal plan that does not contain foods that are high in saturated fat and sugars. This means staying away from fast food, since it is most often high in calories, high in fat, high in sugar, and low in nutrition.

Exercise is another healthy way to prevent diabetes. Regular physical activity can improve the body’s ability to control blood-sugar levels. Since working out the body’s muscles helps use up glucose obtained from food, working out can really help prevent diabetes from developing, while also allowing for improved weight management.

Thinking that eating a lot of sugars is the only way that a person can become diabetic is a recipe for disaster. Eating high amounts of other carbohydrates, as well as high levels of fats can also contribute to the development of diabetes. With a proper diabetic meal plan and an exercise routine that increases physical activity, a diabetic (or a pre-diabetic) can take the initiative in preventing the disease from developing into a serious problem.