Surprising Facts About Prediabetes

Prediabetes affects millions of people, significantly increasing their risks of Type 2 diabetes in the future. Knowing the facts about prediabetes can help you reduce those risks. Here’s what our team wants you to know.

Prediabetes is a precursor to a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes. If you have prediabetes, you’re much more likely to develop full-blown diabetes. Arming yourself with the facts can play a role in preventing that progression.

At I & B Medical Associates in Miami, Florida, our team offers comprehensive diabetes care, including preventive care aimed at helping patients understand their risk of prediabetes and diabetes.

Here, learn some surprising facts about prediabetes so you can make informed decisions about your health.

Prediabetes is alarmingly common

A whopping 88 million Americans have prediabetes — more than a third of the adult population. Each of those women and men is at increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and the complications it can cause, like heart disease, stroke, blindness, and dementia.

Most people don’t know they have prediabetes

Of those 88 million people, more than 84% don’t know they have prediabetes, meaning they’re not doing anything to reverse it and avoid diabetes and its complications.

Prediabetes often causes no symptoms

The reason so many people don’t know they have prediabetes is simple: It often causes no noticeable symptoms, making it hard to spot on your own. A lack of symptoms also means the condition can progress without you knowing it.

Prediabetes can be diagnosed with a simple blood test

Most people know diabetes is managed with frequent blood tests to monitor glucose levels. Prediabetes can be diagnosed with the same type of test. In fact, having regular blood tests as part of your annual physical helps us spot prediabetes in its earliest stages.

Several factors increase your prediabetes risk

Knowing your prediabetes risk factors can help you understand the importance of testing. Older age, being overweight, leading a sedentary lifestyle, and having a family member with a history of Type 2 diabetes are all risk factors.

You’re also at increased risk if you had gestational diabetes while pregnant.

Prediabetes can happen at any age

Type 2 diabetes used to occur in adults almost exclusively, but rising rates of childhood and teenage obesity have changed that. Today, teens and kids can have prediabetes and develop Type 2 diabetes just like adults.

Prediabetes increases your risk of health problems

Although glucose levels in prediabetes aren’t high enough to constitute a diabetes diagnosis, that doesn’t mean they’re not dangerous. In fact, having a diagnosis of prediabetes means you’re also at an increased risk of heart disease and stroke too.

Prediabetes can be reversed

With a few lifestyle changes, you can reverse prediabetes and prevent it from progressing to Type 2 diabetes. Eating a healthy diet, being more physically active, and losing extra weight can all help.

Our team can help you develop a plan to reverse prediabetes and improve your overall health.

Prediabetes is a silent threat with few or no noticeable symptoms. A physical exam with a blood test is the first step to diagnosing prediabetes so you can reverse it. To learn how we can help, call 786-321-2399 or book an appointment online at I & B Medical Associates today.