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What is Pre-Diabetes?by Kathy Middlestadt RN, CDEThe American Diabetes Association recently came out with this new term of "Pre-Diabetes." Previously this was called "Glucose Impaired." Pre-diabetes is just a clearer way of explaining what it means to have higher than normal blood glucose levels. This is when blood sugars are higher than normal, but not yet high enough for the diagnosis of diabetes. It means you are likely to develop type 2 diabetes and are at risk for developing heart and circulatory disease at the pre-diabetes stage. Most people have pre-diabetes prior to developing type 2 diabetes. There are two different tests your doctor can use to determine whether you have pre-diabetes: the fasting plasma blood glucose test or the oral glucose tolerance test. With the fasting plasma test, a positive result would be if your blood glucose were greater than 110, and less than 126. Or with the oral glucose tolerance test a tow hour check of 140 or more but less than 200. Studies have also shown that if you take action to control your blood glucose with pre-diabetes, which you can prevent or delay the onset of, type 2 diabetes. People with pre-diabetes benefit from the same healthy eating habits and physical activity as a person with types 2 diabetes. Treatment for pre-diabetes consists of weight loss through diet and exercise. It doesn't have to be a huge amount of weight. Weight loss of 10-15 pounds can make a difference. Walking 30 minutes a day 5 times a week is recommended. If you have high cholesterol or blood pressure, your doctor may recommend treatment, since pre-diabetes increases your risk of heart disease. Some doctors may even prescribe a diabetes medication. People who should be tested for pre-diabetes are:
For more information about pre-diabetes: www.diabetes.org or contact your diabetes educator or health care provider. |
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