Prediabetes
It’s real. It’s common. And most importantly, it’s reversible. You can prevent or delay prediabetes from turning into type 2 diabetes with simple, proven lifestyle changes.
The CDC recently released the following statement "Amazing but true: about 98 million American adults—1 in 3—have prediabetes. What’s more, more than 8 in 10 of people with prediabetes don’t know they have it." Could this be you? Read on to find out the facts and what you can do to stay healthy.
Prediabetes Is a Big Deal
Don’t let the “pre” fool you. Prediabetes is a serious health condition. People with prediabetes have higher blood sugar than normal, but not high enough yet for a diabetes diagnosis. Prediabetes puts you at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
Prediabetes Flies Under the Radar
You can have prediabetes for years without symptoms. This means you likely won’t know you have prediabetes until serious health problems show up. Talk to your doctor about getting your blood sugar tested if you have any of the risk factors for prediabetes, including:
- 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
- Ever having gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy) or giving birth to a baby who weighed more than 9 pounds
Race and ethnicity are also a factor. African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, American Indians, Pacific Islanders, and some Asian Americans are at higher risk.
Diabetes Is Harder to Live With Than Prediabetes
People with prediabetes have a higher risk of heart disease and stroke. The risk of serious health problems increases even more for people with diabetes.
Diabetes affects every major organ in the body. People with diabetes often develop major complications, including kidney failure, blindness, and nerve damage. Nerve damage can lead to amputation (removal by surgery) of a toe, foot, or leg. Having diabetes can also double the risk of depression. That risk increases as more diabetes-related health problems develop. All can sharply reduce quality of life.
What is A1C
A1C is a blood test that’s commonly used to diagnose diabetes. It is known as the hemoglobin A1C or HbA1c test and it measures your average blood sugar levels over the past two to three months. The resulting number is considered your A1C level.
Your A1C level gives you and your healthcare provider a glimpse into how well your blood sugar (also called glucose) is controlled in the body.
Type 2 diabetes is usually diagnosed at an A1C of 6.5% or higher. Your healthcare provider will help you identify your target A1C level and create a treatment plan to help you get there.
Lowering A1C takes time, and it requires working with your healthcare professional on a treatment plan that includes a healthy diet, a regular exercise routine, and taking medications to lower blood sugar.
Prediabetes = Preventdiabetes
Think of prediabetes as a fork in the road. If you ignore it, your risk for type 2 diabetes goes up. Lose a modest amount of weight and get regular physical activity, and your risk goes down. Modest weight loss means 5% to 7% of body weight, just 10 to 14 pounds for a 200-pound person. Regular physical activity means getting at least 150 minutes a week of brisk walking or similar activity. That’s just 30 minutes a day, five days a week.
As a fitness nurse I can help people make the lifestyle changes needed to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. Through my program, participants:
- Work to make lasting lifestyle changes.
- Discover how to eat healthy and add more physical activity into your day.
- Find out how to manage stress, stay motivated, and solve problems that can slow progress.
As a fitness nurse I truly believe that knowledge is power! Over the next few days lets expand our knowledge base about prediabetes. I'll be posting some information and sharing helpful online resources. I will also be posting some basic beginner workouts to help jump start your journey to wellness.
CDC link https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/prevention/index.html
The best time to prevent type 2 diabetes is now...Let's take this path together!
Katie
RN, CPT, Wellness Coach
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