Pre-Diabetes: An Overview

The onset of type 1 diabetes is rapid and once it is diagnosed there are no grey areas – you have diabetes.  In type 2 diabetes, with close monitoring of people who are at high-risk it is possible to diagnose a condition known as “pre-diabetes”.  What this means is that the person’s blood sugars are higher than they should be but are not considered high enough to warrant a diagnosis of diabetes.

When a person is diagnosed with pre-diabetes there is no set period of time that they have until they are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.  With careful monitoring, a healthy eating plan and physical exercise the onset of diabetes can be delayed for months, years, or even forever.

Once a doctor determines that a patient is pre-diabetic an annual blood test will be ordered to ensure blood glucose levels are remaining at a healthy level.  The doctor will probably request that a blood glucose monitor like Control D is purchased and blood sugars are monitored on a semi-regular basis at home too.

There are many risk factors that are associated with pre-diabetes.  They include:

• Being overweight or obese
• No physical activity
• Past history of gestational diabetes
• If you are over the age of 45
• If members of your family have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes

Having the above risk factors makes it more likely you will be diagnosed but it does not mean it will happen.  If you know that you are at risk, take your health into your own hands and work to create a healthier lifestyle so you can prevent pre-diabetes and the onset of type 2 diabetes.  If you have question on how to do this, speak with your doctor for suggestions.  He or she will probably recommend starting an easy exercise routine to get you active and help you lose weight.