Don’t Ignore the Signs of Prediabetes

Can a health problem actually be considered a blessing?

Yes, according to Mary Lobb Oyos, RN, MS, who serves as a Diabetes Program Manager at Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center. “Prediabetes is the check-engine light on the dashboard of life,” she said.

A diagnosis of prediabetes gives you the opportunity to do something about it, before it causes long-term, permanent and costly damage.

“When you find out you have it, it’s an opportunity — a warning, too — but a chance to take control, improve your overall health and reverse the condition,” said Sabrina Taylor, DO, family medicine physician at Avera Medical Group McGreevy 7th Avenue.

How Prediabetes Relates to Type 2 Diabetes

Prediabetes is among America’s most widespread health problems; it is the precursor to type 2 diabetes. In both its forms, diabetes is a disease that affects how our bodies deal with the glucose (sugar) in food. The hormone insulin helps our blood cells process glucose into energy. People with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes do not make enough insulin, and their cells don’t use the insulin correctly.

When prediabetes is untreated, it can become type 2 diabetes. That condition brings risks of blindness, kidney disease, high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, nerve damage and amputation.

“Prediabetes is something to take seriously,” said Oyos. “Identify your risk factors for prediabetes and talk with your provider about getting tested. The sooner prediabetes is diagnosed, you can begin to make changes to improve your health.”

Risk factors include:

• Age 45 or older
• Family history of type 2 diabetes or prediabetes
• Overweight
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Diabetes during pregnancy (gestational diabetes) or given birth to a baby that weighed more than 9 pounds

Get Screened for High Blood Sugar

To stay on top of your blood sugar level, your doctor can order a fasting blood sugar check, or a HA1C, which is a blood test that measures average blood sugar over three months.

Here’s what your results of a fasting blood sugar check mean:

• 99 mg/dL or lower is normal
• 100 to 125 mg/dL indicates prediabetes
• 126 mg/dL or higher indicates diabetes

“If your blood sugars are normal, it is reasonable to get checked every three years,” said Taylor. “However, if your sugars are elevated and you have prediabetes, you should get checked every year.”

How to Reverse or Prevent Prediabetes

Often, prediabetes can be reversed or prevented with simple lifestyle changes focused on diet, activity and weight loss, said Taylor.

• Focus on a whole-foods diet. Decrease carbohydrates in your diet, such as candy, pastries, cookies and breakfast cereals. “One great tip is to ‘shop the perimeter’ of the store,” said Taylor.
• Exercise regularly. Getting 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week can improve your sugars. For example, take a 30-minute walk five times a week.
• Lose weight. Losing about 5-7% of your body weight can help your blood sugars and reverse prediabetes.
• Stop smoking. This helps your body process insulin better.

Schedule an appointment with your primary care provider to talk more about preventing prediabetes and diabetes.

If you’re interested in learning more about managing prediabetes or diabetes, attend Avera’s educational events.