Prediabetes
More than 84 million adults - nearly one-third of the U.S. population - have prediabetes and 90 percent don't know they have it.
Prediabetes is a condition in which blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as Type 2 diabetes.
It's a condition where your body doesn't produce enough insulin, which helps your body use glucose (sugar) from food, and your blood sugar is too high. It's also known as "prediabetes" or "pre-diabetes," and it affects millions of Americans.
Causes
Prediabetes is a condition that can develop if you have high blood sugar levels for a long period of time. It's often caused by poor diet and physical inactivity.
Prediabetes can be caused by an imbalance of hormones, such as insulin and leptin, that regulate metabolism. If you have prediabetes, your body doesn’t use insulin properly and glucose stays in the blood, causing an elevated level.
Symptoms
- Increased thirst.
- Frequent urination.
- Increased hunger.
- Fatigue.
- Blurred vision.
- Numbness or tingling in the feet or hands.
- Frequent infections.
- Slow-healing sores
- Unintended weight loss
Diagnosis
Prediabetes is diagnosed when someone has two or more risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes (such as obesity or family history). There are no symptoms of prediabetes; however, some people may experience problems with vision or exercise tolerance that aren't related to their weight loss over time.
If left untreated, prediabetes can lead to many health problems, including heart disease and stroke, if left untreated long enough. For this reason, it's very important that everyone knows how they measure progress toward achieving healthier lifestyles so they don't miss out on any opportunities!
Risk Factor
People with prediabetes are at increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
- Heart disease and stroke
- Type 2 diabetes
- Lifestyle changes are associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes.
These include:
- Being overweight or obese, with a Body Mass Index (BMI) above 30 kg/m2
- Having high blood pressure
- Drinking alcohol in excess
- Having high levels of triglycerides (a type of fat found in the blood).
If you have prediabetes, you are at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Range Of Prediabetes
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) estimates that 8.5% of adults have prediabetes and another 37.2% have borderline type 2 diabetes; meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that 18.5% of all Americans have prediabetes or borderline type 2 diabetes.
Prediabetes is having an HbA1c (glycated hemoglobin) level between 5.7% and 6.4%.
Simple Steps That Can Help Reduce Your Risk Of Prediabetes
If you're trying to prevent prediabetes, you should watch your waistline, eat healthy whole foods, and get enough exercise.
A few simple steps can help you reduce your risk for prediabetes through lifestyle changes in eating and physical activity. If you have prediabetes, you may be at risk of developing full-blown diabetes. But there are steps you can take to protect yourself from this condition and manage it on your own. If you're wondering what this means when it comes to your health, it's time to take action! The good news is that with diet and lifestyle changes, prediabetes can easily be prevented—and if left untreated, it can progress into full-blown type 2 diabetes in just a few years.
You can help reduce your risk for prediabetes by following these guidelines:
Eat a healthy diet
A balanced diet that's low in fat, sugar, and processed foods can help you manage weight and keep blood sugar levels stable.
Be physically active
Being active throughout the day is an essential part of staying healthy, but it’s especially important if you have type 2 diabetes because it helps control your blood glucose levels.
Get enough sleep each night to feel rested
When you have less sleep than normal or don't follow good sleeping habits, it can make it harder for your body to regulate its hormones properly—which may lead to some health problems like high blood pressure or an increased risk of heart disease over time. If possible try getting 7-8 hours per night instead of 6-7 hours as this will increase the chances of having better quality sleep without feeling tired during work days which leads to other benefits such as fewer stress levels at the workplace leading towards better productivity levels overall.
Eat low carb
A balanced low-carb diet should include a variety of foods, including meat, fish, poultry, non-starchy vegetables, nuts, seeds, and dairy products.
The first step is to find out if you are at risk for pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes.
Risk factors include being obese, having a family history of diabetes, and having high blood pressure.
If you have any of these risk factors, it's important that you start taking care of them right away. If your doctor finds that you have a condition called impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), then he or she will recommend changing your diet and exercising more to improve insulin sensitivity in order to prevent Type 2 diabetes later on in life.
Factors That Contribute To The Development Of Prediabetes
There are many factors that contribute to the development of prediabetes, including:
- Being overweight or obese
- Eating too much-processed food and not enough fruits and vegetables
- Exercising less than recommended amounts
When To See A Doctor
There are many risk factors for prediabetes, including being overweight and having high blood pressure. But it's possible for anyone with these risk factors to develop prediabetes at some point in their lives. If you know someone who has prediabetes, or if you think you might be at risk for prediabetes, talk to your doctor about what steps you could take now to prevent it from developing into type 2 diabetes later on down the road.
Conclusion
The good news: If you can control your blood sugar levels, you can prevent the development of diabetes. The bad news: Managing your blood sugar levels isn't easy! You need to eat healthy foods high in fiber and protein, which will help keep your blood sugar levels stable. And that means eating fewer refined carbohydrates and sugary treats like cookies and cake every day!
Image provider: iStock
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