Don’t let the “pre” fool you, prediabetes is a serious health condition. Before developing type 2 diabetes, people have prediabetes.
Even though they can still course correct it, more than 8 in 10 adults currently going about their errands are closer to developing type 2 diabetes than they really know. For a condition that is so reversible, the time to roll back prediabetes is now. If you are already wondering about your prediabetic status, keep reading to find out.
In This Article: (5 min read)
- What is Prediabetes And Risk Factors
- How to Test for Prediabetes
- How to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes
What is Prediabetes?
🩹Prediabetes means your blood sugar is higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.
🩹About 98 million adults in the United States, which is more than 1 in 3 adults, have prediabetes, per data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
🩹Among individuals with prediabetes, over 80% don’t know they have it, according to the CDC.
🩹Prediabetes increases your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, stroke, and heart disease.
🩹Fasting blood sugar levels between 100 – 125 mg/dL is diagnostic of prediabetes.
🩹Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) levels between 5.7% and 6.4%, is diagnostic of prediabetes.
The time to roll back prediabetes is now.
Risk Factors for Prediabetes
Prediabetes doesn’t always show clear signs, so you might have it for a while without knowing.
It often gets discovered when more serious health problems, like type 2 diabetes, start showing up. This makes proactive steps in checking your risk for Prediabetes even more important.
Talk to your doctor about having your blood tested for Prediabetes if you have any of the following risk factors:
- Being overweight
- Being 45 years or older
- Having a parent, brother, or sister with type 2 diabetes
- Being physically active less than 3 times a week or physical inactivity
- Hypertension
- Ever having gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy) or giving birth to a baby who weighed more than 9 pounds
- Dyslipidemia (low HDL Cholesterol or Triglycerides more than 250 mg/dl)
- Having polycystic ovary syndrome
Race and ethnicity are also a factor: African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, American Indians, Pacific Islanders, and some Asian Americans are at higher risk.
Take the 1-minute prediabetes risk test and be sure to share the results with your doctor.
How to Test for Prediabetes
To find out if you have prediabetes, type 1, type 2 diabetes, or gestational diabetes, you’ll need a blood sugar test. It’s a simple test, and you’ll get the results quickly. Talk to your doctor about it.
Depending on your doctor’s recommendation, you could do a test to check your fasting blood sugar level, hemoglobin A1C level, or oral glucose tolerance test.
Doing a real-quick CDC risk check for prediabetes can also help you get a fair idea of your risk level. You could show this to your doctor as well.
The good news is that prediabetes can be reversed. Knowing your risk level and getting you blood sugar levels checked will help you take actions to roll back Prediabetes if you happened to have it.
A balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables helps prevent the progression of prediabetes to type 2 diabetes.
How to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes
Approximately 70% of people with prediabetes will go on to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. However, this is not inevitable. Prediabetes managed appropriately can prevent type 2 diabetes and lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.
If you have prediabetes and are overweight, losing some weight and doing regular physical activity can help lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
- Eat meals that are rich in fruits and vegetables. Choose healthy food like non-starchy vegetables (carrots, broccoli, spinach, Brussels sprouts), seafood, legumes, whole grains, and lean meats.
- Cut back on your alcohol intake and processed food. Watch for added sugars when you read food labels, limit sweets, and mind how you prepare your coffee or tea.
Finding out how to manage stress, stay motivated, and solve problems that can slow your progress.
Receiving encouragement from individuals who share similar objectives and face comparable challenges also helps.
- Some patients will need to take some medications. Take your medications as prescribed if your doctor decides you need them to prevent the development of type 2 diabetes. Common drugs in this setting are metformin and acarbose.
Ask your doctor or nurse if there’s a CDC-recognized National Diabetes Prevention Program offered in your community or find one here.
The best time to prevent type 2 diabetes is now.
Prediabetes is reversible. Talk to you doctor about your risk and status.
Bottom Line
Prediabetes is reversible. It’s crucial to recognize that early intervention and lifestyle adjustments play a pivotal role in preventing its progression to type 2 diabetes.
Embracing a healthy lifestyle approach such as regular physical activity, a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and maintaining a healthy weight, can significantly reduce the risk.
Getting your blood sugar levels checked and regular monitoring, especially for those with risk factors, is imperative in preventing and early management of Prediabetes.
By taking proactive steps and making informed choices, one can empower themselves to ward off the progression of Prediabetes to full-fledged type 2 diabetes, and embrace a healthier, more vibrant life.
