Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is prediabetes and how common is it?
One in three American adults has prediabetes, but only 10 percent of them know they have it. Prediabetes means a person’s blood glucose (sugar) level is higher than normal, but not high enough yet to be diagnosed with diabetes. People with prediabetes are on the road to develop type 2 diabetes within several years, and are also at increased risk for serious health problems, such as stroke and heart disease. There are some prediabetes risks you can’t control, like age and family history. But there are things you can do to reduce your risk, such as increased physical activity and weight loss. And making these lifestyle changes can also help prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.
There are not usually symptoms when you have prediabetes. Talk to your doctor to know for sure. A simple blood test can confirm if you have prediabetes.
How close is prediabetes to having type 2 diabetes
15-30 percent of people who have prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within 5 years. If you don’t make lifestyle changes, it puts you at greater risk. Studies show that losing just 5-7 percent of your body weight by eating healthier and doing regular exercise can help prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. For a person who weighs 200 pounds, that’s about 10-15 pounds. Evidence shows that the CDC’s Diabetes Prevention Program is the most effective way to reverse prediabetes.
Who is most at risk for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes?
But who is most at risk for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes?
- Have a family history of diabetes
- Are over age 40 – the risk for diabetes increases as you get older
- Are overweight
- Have a history of gestational diabetes – diabetes or high blood sugar when pregnant
- Have high blood pressure
How is type 2 diabetes diagnosed?
Type 2 diabetes is diagnosed using the same blood tests as prediabetes.
What is type 2 diabetes, and how common is it?
Diabetes is a disease in which blood sugar levels are above normal. Most of the food we eat is turned into sugar, for our bodies to use for energy. The pancreas, an organ that lies near the stomach, makes a hormone called insulin to help sugar get into the cells of our bodies. When you have diabetes, your body either doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use its own insulin as well as it should. This causes sugar to build up in your blood.
Diabetes can cause serious health complications including heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, and lower-limb amputations. Nearly 30 million Americans have diabetes, and 1 out of 4 of them do not know they have it. Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States.
What is the difference between type 2 diabetes and type 1 diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes is when your body makes very little insulin or no insulin at all, and is typically diagnosed when a person is a child or young adult. People with type 1 diabetes require insulin shots or an insulin pump.
Type 2 diabetes is when your body cannot use the insulin it makes, and eventually does not make enough insulin. It is normally found in people who are overweight, have family history, do not get enough physical activity, and are middle-aged or older. Type 2 accounts for about 90-95 percent of all diabetes cases. Type 2 diabetes can sometimes be treated with lifestyle changes and/or pills, but many people require insulin shots.
What are the symptoms of type 2 diabetes?
Sometimes there are no symptoms, or the symptoms are not obvious, which is why you should talk with your doctor about your risk for type 2 diabetes. If someone’s blood sugar level is very high, they may have blurry vision, feel thirsty, feel tired, and urinate frequently. Remember, you cannot rely on symptoms to know if you have type 2 diabetes. Talk to your doctor.
What are the biggest risks of having type 2 diabetes?
Adults who have diabetes have a 50 percent higher risk of death than those who do not. People who have diabetes are at higher risk of serious health complications including heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, blindness, and amputation of toes, feet or legs.
How is type 2 diabetes typically treated?
Type 2 diabetes is usually treated with medicines, such as pills and insulin shots. People with type 2 diabetes should get regular physical activity and eat healthier because these things also help keep blood sugar levels under control.
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