From utphysicians.com
The statistics are alarming: one in three adults has prediabetes, and most don’t even know it. Even more concerning, recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that one in three adolescents ages 12-17 now has prediabetes.
“We love the word prediabetes, because we’re at that stage where we can prevent Type 2 diabetes,” said Cynthia Lew, RN, a certified diabetes care and education specialist at UT Physicians Multispecialty – Sienna. “I call it the check engine light in your car. Something’s going on, and if we don’t do something about it, your risk of getting diabetes can happen within five years.”
The American Diabetes Association first used the term “prediabetes” in 2001 to encourage preventive care and early intervention. Lew said changing the term in the health care industry from “borderline diabetes” to “prediabetes” gives it more of a serious-sounding condition. In the past, patients would give a sigh of relief: “Oh, I don’t have diabetes,” and no action was taken.
What is prediabetes?
Prediabetes means blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to diagnose Type 2 diabetes. Prediabetes is between 5.7% to 6.4% for haemoglobin A1c tests. Diabetes is diagnosed at 6.5% or higher. For fasting glucose, prediabetes falls between 100 to 125 mg/dL, while 126 or above indicates diabetes. This illustrates the importance of testing, because prediabetes is a silent condition.
“When you start getting symptoms, like being thirsty or going to the bathroom a lot, you’re probably in the Type 2 range,” Lew said.
Who’s at risk?
Family history is one of the biggest risk factors for prediabetes. Other key factors include a history of gestational diabetes, physical inactivity, and poor diet. Providers now recommend testing for prediabetes beginning at age 45, or earlier for those with risk factors.
“Anyone with family history should get early testing,” Lew said. “We’re seeing a younger population affected, so we want to catch it sooner.”
In some school districts, nurses even check children for acanthosis nigricans, which is a darkening of the skin on the neck that can signal prediabetes. This early screening, similar to scoliosis, vision, and other school-based screenings, helps identify at-risk children before the condition progresses.
Taking action: The power of prevention
The good news? Prediabetes is reversible, and weight loss plays a big role. Lew said studies show that losing just 5% to 7% of your body weight, combined with 150 minutes of weekly exercise (30 minutes, five days a week), can delay or prevent Type 2 diabetes.
Lew stresses that no food is completely off-limits — just eat it in moderation. When she tells patients to stop eating something completely, it never works.
“Both the quantity and quality of your diet are important,” Lew said. “We’re eating more processed food that we can pop in the microwave, and that’s contributing to this population getting prediabetes.”
The key is making sustainable changes by eating a healthy, balanced diet. Rather than following trendy diets, Lew recommends working with providers to develop an individualized plan that fits your lifestyle, food preferences, and budget.
Small steps, big impact
For patients who feel overwhelmed, Lew recommends starting with small, achievable goals. Focus on what you can do first.
“If you go out to eat six times a week, can we cut that in half? Can you reduce those sugary coffee drinks from three times a week to two?” Lew said.
Exercise doesn’t have to mean joining a gym, either.
“What do you like to do? Dancing? Cleaning your house? Anything that makes you move for 30 minutes counts,” Lew notes. One patient lost weight simply by cleaning her own house instead of paying someone else to do it.
New technology is also helping patients see the impact of their choices in real time. Continuous glucose monitors, available over-the-counter, track blood sugar levels throughout the day.
“When patients wear that device and see their blood sugar go from 100 down to 80 after walking, that motivates them,” Lew said. “They see something happening.”
Realistic expectations
Within three months of making lifestyle changes, most people can see improvements in their A1c levels. However, the real challenge is maintaining those changes long-term. Lew wants to see sustainability over time.
“Anyone can lose weight for three months, but I want to see the data within a year. Did you keep your A1c stable?” Lew said.
Even after reversing prediabetes, vigilance is necessary. Lew continued her metaphor: The check engine light is always on, and you’ve got to keep getting it checked. Your risk of getting back to the prediabetes range is there.
Supporting loved ones
Family members and caregivers can make a significant difference in supporting their loved ones with prediabetes. Lew offers several tips:
- Eat the same healthy meals versus creating separate “diabetic” menus. It’s hard for someone to eat healthy if you’re indulging in sugary-filled drinks, candy, cookies, and cakes in front of them.
- Exercise together.
- Avoid being the “food police.”
Most importantly, Lew said, understand that if one family member has diabetes or prediabetes, others may be at risk. too.
“Everyone knows someone with diabetes,” Lew said. “One in three is huge. We need to make people more aware of prediabetes, because you can prevent this disease. You have control to prevent it now, versus after the diagnosis when it becomes much harder to manage.”
https://www.utphysicians.com/catching-prediabetes-early-can-change-your-health-story/
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