Type 2 Diabetes is a common but serious medical condition affecting tens of millions of Americans. Prediabetes is diagnosed in adults with persistently high blood sugar, meaning they are at risk of developing diabetes in the future. Prediabetes is an opportunity to change your lifestyle and prevent the development of diabetes. However, most people don’t even realize they have this condition. Read on to learn more about prediabetes so you can treat it early.
Who is at Risk?
At the beginning stages of prediabetes, most patients do not have any symptoms at all. However, certain lifestyle factors put individuals at risk for this condition. These include being overweight or obese, being over the age of 45, and exercising less than three times per week. African Americans, Hispanic/Latino people, and Pacific Islanders are all at a higher risk, though people of any race can develop prediabete. Women who had gestational diabetes during pregnancy or who suffer from PCOS are also at a higher risk.
The Importance of Lifestyle Changes
While prediabetes is a scary diagnosis, the condition can usually be reversed with simple lifestyle changes. Lowering your weight with a healthy diet and regular exercise is the easiest- and most effective- way to keep your blood sugar in check. Limiting alcohol consumption and avoiding nicotine can also lower your risk for diabetes in the future. If you are working on reversing prediabetes, your doctor can monitor your progress with regular blood sugar tests.
Talking to Your Doctor
If you have prediabetes, a doctor will be able to help you create the best plan for fighting the condition. To talk with a doctor about your prediabetes, call the Internal Medicine Diagnostic Center at 281-252-8600.