Did you know that over 1 in 3 Americans have prediabetes? Unfortunately, over 80% of people with prediabetes are unaware of their prediabetes status. Regular visits with your doctor can help identify prediabetes, so you can take steps to prevent diabetes. Dr. McConnell and program director Rachel Smith, DNP, ARNP at Discover Health in Bradenton, FL, provide a wide range of medical services, including prediabetes and diabetes diagnosis and treatment.
What You Need To Know About Prediabetes
When you are prediabetic, it means your blood sugar is elevated, but not high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes. You are at greater risk of becoming prediabetic if you have a family history of prediabetes or diabetes, or if you:
- Are overweight, especially having fat deposits around your abdomen
- Have a large waist size, over 40 inches for men, and 35 inches for women
- Eat a lot of red meat and processed meat, or drink sweet beverages
- Are over age 35 or have a sedentary lifestyle
Prediabetes may not produce symptoms, or the symptoms may be mild enough not to notice. You may be prediabetic if you experience:
- Frequent feelings of hunger or thirst
- Fatigue or blurred vision
- Frequent feelings of having to urinate
- Injuries or bruises that are slow to heal
- Numbness or tingling in your extremities
- Frequent illness or infections
Diagnosis of prediabetes happens with a blood test. A small sample of your blood is taken after you have fasted, and your blood sugar level is measured. Your A1C may also be measured, indicating an average of your blood sugar over a 2-to-3-month period.
If you are diagnosed as prediabetic, you need to take some important steps to help prevent diabetes. It’s important to maintain a healthy weight with diet and exercise. You should also:
- Eat a diet low in fat, sugar, and salt
- Exercise for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week
- Quit smoking
- Control your blood pressure and cholesterol
Diabetes screenings are recommended when you reach age 35. You should have a diabetes screening before age 35 if you are overweight or have risk factors for diabetes.
Want To Know More About Prediabetes Diagnosis and Treatment?
To find out more about prediabetes diagnosis and treatment, and diabetes prevention, call Dr. McConnell and program director Rachel Smith, DNP, ARNP at Discover Health in Bradenton, FL. You can reach them in the office by calling (941) 667-2796, so call today.