What is Prediabetes?
It is estimated that approximately 88 million American adults - 1 in 3 - have prediabetes. People with prediabetes are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and heart attacks. Learn how to identify if you have prediabetes or are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes in our latest blog post.
What is prediabetes?
Prediabetes is a condition in which a person’s blood sugar is higher than it should be, but not high enough to require medication. If you have prediabetes, your body is not responding normally to insulin, the hormone that transports glucose from your blood into your cells where it is used for energy. Prediabetes is generally diagnosed before type 2 diabetes, and people with prediabetes are very likely to develop type 2 diabetes within the next 3 to 5 years. People with prediabetes are also more likely to develop heart disease, stroke, and heart attacks.
Prediabetes is very common, and simple to reverse for many people.
An estimated 1 in 3 Americans is living with prediabetes, and of those people 84% aren’t aware that they have the condition. How can you tell if you have prediabetes or are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes? Below are some common symptoms that can indicate you may have prediabetes or are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the near future. A simple blood test, often performed at your annual physical, will confirm your diagnosis.
- Being overweight
- Being 45 years or older
- Having a close relative with type 2 diabetes (such as a parent or sibling)
- Being physically active fewer than 3 times a week
- Having high blood pressure
- Having a history of gestational diabetes or polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
If you think you might have prediabetes or think you might be at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, talk to your provider about your options. Inspired Health Group offers a variety of programs and treatment plans to reverse prediabetes or reduce your risk of progressing to diabetes. Inspired Health Group can help you reverse prediabetes for good with the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP). The next session of the DPP begins September 1st at 6:00pm. Call the office for details 716-662-7008!
- Katie Schaeffer, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Diabetes Care & Education Specialist