What is Pre-Diabetes?
Pre-diabetes is a condition that occurs when a person's fasting blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.
What Are the Risk Factors for Developing Diabetes?
- Overweight or obesity
- High blood pressure measuring 140/90 or higher
- High cholesterol
- A parent, brother, or sister with diabetes
- African American, American Indian, Asian American, Pacific Islander, or Hispanic American/Latino heritage
- Prior history of diabetes during pregnancy
- Birth of at least one baby weighing more than 9 pounds
- Physical inactivity – exercising less than 3 times a week
The GOOD News
- If you do not have diabetes, recent studies have shown that diabetes can be delayed or prevented by becoming more active and losing perhaps as little as 7-10% of your total body weight and lowering the fat intake in your diet
- Learn more about what you can do! Become motivated! Protect your health!
Ways to Help You Delay or Prevent Diabetes:
- Increase Activity: Walk at least 3-5 days a week for 30 to 60 minutes a day, or walk for 10 minutes at least three times a day
- Eat Healthy: Choose low fat foods, avoid super-sizing meals
- Take your Medications as prescribed by your doctor
- Anyone aged 45 years or older should be tested for diabetes, especially if you are overweight
What symptoms could I possibly have?
Some diabetes symptoms include:
- Frequent urination
- Excessive thirst
- Extreme hunger
- Unusual weight loss
- Increased fatigue
- Irritability
- Blurry vision
If you have one or more of these symptoms, see your doctor right away.
Diabetes often goes undiagnosed because many of its symptoms seem so harmless. Recent studies indicate that the early detection of diabetes symptoms and receiving treatment can decrease the chance of developing the complications of diabetes.
Additional information regarding Pre-diabetes can be located at the National Diabetes Education Program
For more information or to register for classes, call: 254-288-8136.
page last modified on: 6/4/2014