There are 30 million people in the U.S. living with diabetes and another 84 million people have prediabetes – that’s 1 in 3 adults. For those who don’t know, prediabetes is when a person’s blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough yet for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. People with prediabetes are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes and are also at increased risk for other serious health problems, such as stroke and heart disease.
“An alarming 90% of people with prediabetes don’t know they have it,” said Dr. Ann Albright, director of CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation. “It is very important for people to know where they stand since there are steps that you can take. With healthy lifestyle changes, type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed in those with prediabetes.”
Here are four important things you need to know about prediabetes:
1. It only takes a minute to find out if you are at risk for prediabetes. DoIHavePrediabetes.org offers a quick, easy risk test to help you learn where you stand. If you have an elevated score on the risk test, talk to your doctor about getting a blood test to determine if you have prediabetes.
2. Prediabetes can be reversed. If you catch prediabetes early enough and take the necessary steps to improve your health, your blood sugar levels can return back to normal.
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Dr. Patrice Harris, president-elect of the American Medical Association says,“Prediabetes can be reversed if you are able to make changes in your diet and if you are able to increase your physical activity.”
“Physical activity does not have to be a complicated exercise program. It’s about getting up and starting to move. Even if that is walking five minutes a day. Start there and work your way up to 30 minutes a day,” she adds.
3. Type 2 diabetes is not inevitable. It can be prevented. By eating nutritious foods, increasing regular physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight, you can prevent or delay prediabetes and other serious health conditions, including heart disease and stroke.
“Everyone can play an active role in their own health by eating more fruits and vegetables and engaging in more physical activities. It’s also important to talk to your doctor to confirm your diagnosis and discuss treatment options,” Dr. Harris says.
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4. It can run in families. Family history plays a strong role in many health risks and prediabetes is certainly no exception. This is not only because family members are related in terms of their genes. Sometimes it’s becausethey share certain habits that can increase their risk. If your parent, sister or brother has/had prediabetes, you have a higher risk of developing the condition.
Dr. Harris says, “There is a genetic or hereditary component to prediabetes. So, if your parent, brother or sister has prediabetes than you are more predisposed to having prediabetes. There is an opportunity to act or engage when you have prediabetes to decrease your risk factors.”
The best way to prevent type 2 diabetes is to take that first step and find out if you’re at risk. If you receive a high score on the prediabetes risk test, talk to your doctor about a simple blood test to check your blood sugar levels. If you have prediabetes, ask your doctor about signing up for CDC’s National Diabetes Prevention Program – a scientifically proven program that can help you reverse prediabetes and prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.
