What You May Not Know About Prediabetes
By Sara Butler
Prediabetes is something not too many people know about, but they should. It runs in families and surprisingly, many people aren't even aware they have it. The things people do seem to think are true about prediabetes often don't turn out the to be the total truth. So, in an effort to set the record straight and help you understand this condition, here are a few things you may not know about prediabetes.
It's Really Common
The next time you're out and about at the store or at the mall, look around you. If you count out nine random adults, there's a strong chance at least three of them has pre-diabetes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that of the 1 in 3 Americans who have prediabetes, 90 percent don't know they have it and haven't been diagnosed.
It's Not Harmless
You may think that the "pre" in prediabetes means that the problem hasn't fully arrived yet -- the diabetes problem. But don't get lulled into a false sense of security because prediabetes is a sign that things are not working as they should.
Prediabetes is a metabolic condition which can include loss of insulin production and insulin resistance -- both of which may have been happening for years before the diagnosis. Plus, there are other conditions associated with prediabetes that are concerning for your overall health such as chronic inflammation, heart disease, stroke, certain types of cancer, and fatty liver.
It's Reversible
Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes are both conditions that progress over time. That means that if you start to do something about it today, chances are you can come back from the brink and have a healthy blood sugar the earlier you address it. It's possible to reverse course, but every day that window of opportunity shrinks slightly.
Signs and Symptoms are Rare
The reason there are 70 million people walking around the United States right now that have no idea they have prediabetes is that there are rarely any symptoms or signs. Most healthcare providers won't screen for it before age 45, so it's important to ask for a blood test if you are concerned about the condition.
Prediabetes is serious and you need to be proactive in order to stay healthy and keep this disease from impacting your life.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in South Jordan, Utah.