How Much Do You Know About Prediabetes? Here’s An Informative Read

Did you know almost 88 million American adults are prediabetic? And more than 84% of them don’t even know they are on the fast-track of developing a severe illness. Due to a lack of education and diagnosis, diabetes wreaks havoc on our health. The American Diabetes Association listed diabetes as the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. 

Familiarizing yourself with the risk factors is of utmost importance. Visit our walk-in clinic in Suwanee, GA, for a follow-up with the doctor if you are alerted by any risk factors. 

But What Is Prediabetes?

It is the condition when your blood glucose level is above normal, but it is not high enough to be considered diabetic. Also referred to as “borderline diabetes,” the condition is a warning sign you are at the risk of developing full-blown diabetes.

A simple blood test can determine if you are prediabetic, with the hemoglobin A1C test being the most accurate. The A1C test indicates the average blood sugar levels for the past two, three months. If the hemoglobin A1C level lies between 5.7 and 6.4, you are prediabetic. 

Are you 45 years or older? Do you have a family history of the disease? You fall under the prediabetes radar. We can check your blood sugar levels at our Suwanee primary care clinic. We take same-day appointments, too. 

What Are The Risk Factors?

It is difficult to tell if you are prediabetic because there are usually no explicit symptoms. A blood test is the only way to know for sure. However, these are three risk factors associated with the likelihood of developing this borderline condition. 

A Sedentary Lifestyle

Regular physical activity has a plethora of health benefits, from managing your weight to lowering your stress levels. When you are physically active, the insulin use by your body is also more efficient. If you have a desk job, take mini-breaks, and move around. Aim for 150 minutes weekly moderate-intensity exercise.

Weight Gain 

Being overweight increases your chances of becoming insulin resistant, and that is a major risk factor. Excessive weight puts undue stress on the pancreas for producing sufficient insulin and hampers the insulin produced from doing its job. If you are gaining weight mainly around your belly, it is an indicator of fat around the organs, increasing the prediabetes risk.  

When you have meals, fill half your plate with vegetables, a fourth with whole-grain starch, and the other fourth with protein. 

Sleep Troubles 

A good night’s sleep is vital for overall health. Poor sleep is associated with weight gain, increasing your prediabetes risk. Talk to our doctor if you have sleep troubles to get out of the prediabetes danger zone. We will also do a blood test too at our walk-in clinic in Suwanee, GA, to eliminate doubt. 

To Conclude

Prediabetes is a condition affecting millions of Americans, but many may not have heard of it. This knowledge is not only a valuable health insight, but it is also an excellent opportunity to lead a healthy life for years to come.

At our Suwanee primary care clinic, we use the most updated treatment protocols for diagnosis and treatment of prediabetes and also offer nutrition counseling. Our mission is to provide you quality care.