PREDIABETES: ARE YOU AT RISK?

Prediabetes means you have a higher than normal blood sugar level. It's not high enough to be considered type 2 diabetes yet, The exact cause of prediabetes is unknown. What is clear is that people with prediabetes don't process sugar (glucose) properly anymore. As a result, sugar builds up in the blood instead of doing its normal job of giving energy to the cells that make up muscles and other tissues.

Prediabetes Chart

There's good news, however. Progression from prediabetes to type 2 diabetes isn't inevitable.

Risk factors:

1. Weight: Overweight is a primary risk factor and fatty tissue makes the person insulin resistant.

2. Waist size. A large waist size for both males and females can indicate insulin resistance. For men with waists larger than 40 inches and for women with waists larger than 35 inches.

3. Diet. Diet rich in fats like fried food, red meats, processed meats, sugar in food and beverages like colas, juices mixed with sugar is associated with a higher risk of prediabetes.

4. Inactivity. Physical activity is directly related to good health. Physical activity helps you control your weight, uses up sugar for energy, and makes the body use insulin more effectively.

5. Age. The risk of prediabetes increases after age 45.

6. Family history. Family history of parents being type 2 diabetic increases the risk, genetics do have a role in causing diabetes.

7. Gestational diabetes. If you had diabetes while pregnant (gestational diabetes), you and your child are at higher risk of developing prediabetes.

8. Polycystic ovary syndrome. Women with this common condition — characterized by irregular menstrual periods, excess hair growth, and obesity — have a higher risk of prediabetes.

9. Sleep. People with obstructive sleep apnea — a condition that disrupts sleep repeatedly have an increased risk of insulin resistance.

10. Tobacco smoke. Smoking may increase insulin resistance. Smokers also seem to carry more weight around the middle.

Other conditions associated with prediabetes include:

• High blood pressure

• Low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, the "good" cholesterol

• High levels of triglycerides — a type of fat in your blood

PREVENTION:

• Eat healthy foods

• Get at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic physical activity a week or about 30minutes on most days of the week,

• Control your blood pressure and cholesterol

• Stop smoking

If you have prediabetes, the long-term damage of diabetes — especially to your heart, blood vessels, and kidneys — may already be starting.,high blood pressure, heart disease, high cholesterol. Prediabetes has been linked with unrecognized (silent) heart attacks and can damage your kidneys, even if you haven't progressed to type 2 diabetes.

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