When blood sugar levels are above normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes, it is known as prediabetes. Over 96 million adult Americans, or one in three, have this condition. Over 80% of people with prediabetes are even unaware that they already have it.

The thing is, you are more likely to suffer from type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and a stroke if you have prediabetes.

The good news is that the CDC-led National Diabetes Prevention Program can assist you in changing your lifestyle to avert or postpone type 2 diabetes and other major health issues if you already have it.

How Does Prediabetes Develop?

The hormone insulin, which is produced by your pancreas, functions as a key to allow blood sugar to enter cells for use as energy. Your body’s cells don’t react to insulin normally if you have prediabetes. In an effort to induce cells to react, your pancreas produces more insulin. Over time, your pancreas becomes unable to keep up, causing your blood sugar to rise and eventually leading to prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.

The Signs and Symptoms of Prediabetes

Prediabetes can go undiagnosed for years if there are no obvious signs, leading to type 2 diabetes and other major health issues. If you have any of the following prediabetes risk factors, you should speak with your doctor about having your blood sugar checked:

Excess weight
Having reached the age of 45
Having a type 2 diabetic parent, sibling, or brother
Being inactive for three or fewer days each week
Having given birth to a kid that weighed more than 9 pounds or having gestational diabetes during pregnancy
A polycystic ovary syndrome diagnosis
Additionally, race and ethnicity play a role. The risk is higher for American Indians, African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, Pacific Islanders, and some Asian Americans.

Preventing Type 2 Diabetes

Your chance of developing type 2 diabetes can be lowered if you have prediabetes, lose a small amount of weight, and engage in regular physical activity. Around 5% to 7% of your body weight, or 10 to 14 pounds for a 200-pound person, is considered a small amount of weight loss. Regular exercise entails engaging in an activity like brisk walking for at least 150 minutes per week. Simply put, that is thirty minutes, five days a week.

You may make those changes—and make them stick—with the aid of a lifestyle modification program provided by the CDC-led National Diabetes Prevention Program. Participating in the program may reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes by up to 58% (71% if you’re over 60). Highlights consist of:

Making practical, long-lasting lifestyle improvements while working with a trained coach.
Learning how to increase your daily physical activity and eating healthy.
Learning how to control your stress, maintain your motivation, and address issues that can impede your success.
Obtaining assistance from those facing comparable issues and aspirations.
Finding a CDC-recognized National Diabetes Prevention Program in your area by asking your doctor or nurse. Indeed, there is no better time than the present to stop type 2 diabetes.

Conclusion

Prediabetes is a serious condition that affects countless people in the United States. It is important to be aware of the risk factors and symptoms and to take steps to prevent the development of type 2 diabetes.

You can do many things to improve your health and reduce your risk of prediabetes, including eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy weight.

If you think you are at risk, talk to your doctor immediately to discuss your options moving forward.

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