Prediabetes

Are You Prediabetic?

Diabetes has become a part of our everyday vocabulary.  In one way or another, each of us has been touched by Diabetes whether in the form of personal diagnosis or the diagnosis of a friend, co-worker or family member.  Diabetes has become an all too common diagnosis for a slowly progressing disease, which in many lives, with early detection, can be prevented and reversed.

According to the CDC, Prediabetes, sometimes referred to as “impaired fasting glucose” or “impaired glucose tolerance” is defined as a condition in which blood sugar is elevated yet, not high enough to be considered diabetic. In simple terms, the body is having difficulty regulating blood sugar. Why is this such an essential piece of information?  Because knowledge is power!  Most people do not know that they are prediabetic.  Diabetes develops gradually and can even innocently present itself over time, as blood sugar (glucose)  lab reading on the high side of normal, yet considered “in-range.”  Prediabetes is more common than one would think.  In fact, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 84 million US adults are prediabetic.  Further, 90% or (1 in 3 ) Americans are unaware that they are on the progressive road to Diabetes.

Now for the good news,  Prediabetes is detectable, preventable, and even reversible.

How do you know if you fall into this category?  

To begin,  here are a few questions to ask yourself:

1)      Are you 45 years of age or older?

2)      Do you have a family history of Type 2 Diabetes? (Parent, Brother or Sister)

3)      Are you considered overweight? Do you know your waist circumference?

4)      Do you lead a sedentary lifestyle?

5)      Do you smoke?

6)      How is your diet? Do you make healthy choices?

7)      Have you ever been diagnosed with High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol, Sleep Apnea, PCOS or, Hypothyroidism?

Are you finding the answer to many of the above questions to be yes?  Remember, this is your time to take control. Prediabetes is reversible.   Take the opportunity to discuss your answers with your Healthcare Provider.  They can provide screenings,programming and even treatment, which will prove to be instrumental in setting and obtaining realistic and sustainable goals.