The Effects Of Pre Diabetes On Diabetes

According to University of Illinois Extension Nutrition and Wellness Educator, Marilyn Csernus, more than 29 million Americans have diabetes, with another 86 million adults at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes. During the month of November, being aware of pre-diabetes symptoms can help decrease the risk of a diabetes diagnoses as much as 50 percent through making a few simple lifestyle changes.

Pre-diabetes is a condition in which blood glucose numbers are higher than normal, but the numbers are not high enough to meet the diagnostic criteria for diabetes. Sometimes this condition is known as impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glucose, depending on what test was used to diagnose the condition, Csernus explained. “Although there are no symptoms that signal rising glucose levels without a blood glucose test, pre-diabetes is not a condition to take lightly. Without lifestyle changes, pre-diabetes often progresses to type 2 diabetes within a few years. Furthermore, pre-diabetes increases the risk of developing heart disease,” the expert noted.

According to Csernus, one key to preventing type 2 diabetes is recognizing the risk. Anyone who is over 45 years old should be tested.

You should also be tested if you are younger than 45 but have one of the following conditions:

• you are physically inactive

• you are overweight or obese

• you have a family history of diabetes

• you have had gestational diabetes or given birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds

• you are African American, Asian American, American Indian, Pacific Islander, or Hispanic/Latino

• you have high blood pressure

• you have abnormal cholesterol with low HDL “good” cholesterol and high triglycerides.

A major research study revealed that...

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...he classroom experience anywhere else” during her training time spent team member, Educator Jenna Smith. She advised “the class I on Diabetes is for persons managing diabetes, caregivers, or those that want to make a lifestyle change to decrease their risk of developing pre-diabetes symptoms”.

Another factor is making sure health information comes from a credible source. Glassman recommends “Your Guide to Diabetes, http://extension.illinois.edu/diabetes2/” or to visit the American Diabetes Association’s website at http://www.diabetes.org/ to learn more about preventing and managing type 2 diabetes.

Glassman noted to “Look for an I on Diabetes class coming soon”. All of the Nutrition and Wellness programs are listed on the University of Illinois Extension Website at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/blmp/ or follow her on Twitter, Susan Glassman@ NutritionNosh.