A version of this article appeared in a previous e-newsletter from the ParTNers Center.
One in three people in the U.S. has prediabetes — and 90% of them don’t know it! You might be wondering: What’s the big deal? Prediabetes is not diabetes. That’s true, but prediabetes is reversible; diabetes is not!
Prediabetes means your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough for a diabetes diagnosis. Unfortunately, nearly one-third of people with prediabetes will develop diabetes within five years.
Diabetes is a disease that generally requires lifelong care. Once you develop it, you must take active steps to not only control your blood sugar but also avoid diabetes-related health problems. These can include heart disease, stroke, nerve damage, eye disease and kidney disease, among others.
The good news: You can avoid developing diabetes by recognizing and treating prediabetes.
You should be checked for prediabetes if you:
Are overweight
Are 45 years or older
Have a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes
Are not physically active at least three times a week
Had gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy) or gave birth to a baby that weighed more than nine pounds
Are African-American, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian, Pacific Islander or Asian American
Would you like to be checked for prediabetes? Make an appointment with the ParTNers Health & Wellness Center at 615-741-1709. At your visit, you will also find out if you qualify for the upcoming Diabetes Prevention Program (learn more here). If you qualify and wish to participate, classes begin in late February. (If you have already been diagnosed with diabetes, you will not be eligible for the program.)
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention