More than 1 in 3 American adults has prediabetes, that’s an estimated 88 million people. The more alarming statistic is that 80% of them do not know they have prediabetes. Prediabetes doesn’t have any symptoms, so most people do not feel any different.
A diagnosis of prediabetes is serious, as it can lead to type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
This is why it is important to have regular checkups and learn about your individual risk for prediabetes. Knowing if you have prediabetes can help you take steps to delay or prevent type 2 diabetes. The good news is that diet and lifestyle changes can reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by half.
What is Prediabetes?
Prediabetes is defined by having blood sugar levels that are higher than what is considered normal, but not high enough for a type 2 diabetes diagnosis.
Causes of Prediabetes
Insulin is the hormone that lets sugar from your blood into your cells to be used for energy. Under normal circumstances, in response to eating, your body would release insulin into the blood stream. Insulin would signal to the cells to take sugar out of the blood stream to be used as energy within the cells. Prediabetes occurs when your bodies cells are not responding to the hormone insulin normally. Some cells are then not taking the sugar from the blood for energy, which results in higher-than-normal levels of sugar in the blood. Your body will try to make more insulin in the pancreas to compensate, but eventually your pancreas cannot keep up, leading to higher blood sugars.
Are You at Risk for Prediabetes?
Take this Screener to measure your risk.
- Being overweight or obese
- Being 45 years or older
- Having parents, brother, or sister with Type 2 diabetes
- Physically inactive lifestyle (less than 3 times a week)
- History of diabetes during pregnancy (gestational diabetes)
- Birthing a baby that was greater than 9lbs
- Being diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- African American, Hispanic/Latino American, American Indian, Alaska Native, Pacific Islander, and some Asian American people can be at higher risk.
What Should You Do Next? Action Steps:
Take this free screener from the CDC to evaluate your risk of developing Prediabetes.
If you are at high risk, make an appointment with your primary care provider to discuss the results.
Your provider will determine if you need your blood sugar tested. They will use your results to determine if you have prediabetes. Different diagnostic tests are highlighted in the table below:
Seek out education and support.
Join the Prediabetes Mini-Series starting on Tuesday, September 24th from 12:30-1pm. Learn from a registered dietitian about Prediabetes and the general recommendations for navigating this health concern. This class is perfect for those who scored high on the Prediabetes Screener from the CDC or unsure of what to do if your labs reflect prediabetes.
After taking the class – ask for a referral to a dietitian or certified diabetes care and education specialist. They can help you make diet and lifestyle changes to reduce your risk of diabetes with more individualized recommendations and suggestions. They’ll collaborate with you and your medical provider to help you reach your goals!
Knowing if you have prediabetes or are at risk for it is the very first step. Prediabetes can be managed and modified through lifestyle factors. Avance Care is here to support you with our medical providers, registered dietitians and our Prediabetes Mini-Series.
References
- https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/php/data-research/index.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/prevention-type-2/prediabetes-prevent-type-2.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/prediabetes/risktest/index.html
