Pre-Diabetes Statistics-Symptoms & Prevention

Pre-Diabetes Statistics

96 million people in the U.S. have pre-diabetes, and 80% of these people do not know they have it.

 

Pre-diabetes is when your blood sugar is higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes.

If your A1c  (a test that measures your blood sugar for the last 90 days) is between 5.7 and 6.4, you have pre-diabetes. 

 

When combining Diabetes statistics with pre-diabetes statistics, this accounts for 33.4% of the U.S. population.

Pre-Diabetes Disposition:

• Excess weight
• Middle-aged- over 45 years of age
• Immediate family member with type 2 diabetes
• Race- Higher instance for African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, American Indians, Pacific Islanders, and Asian Americans
• Exercising two times or less a week 
• Gestational diabetes or having a baby that weighs more than nine pounds
•  A woman that has polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

 

Diabetes Symptoms:

Suppose you are part of the 7.2 million people that do not know you have diabetes. In that case, you may experience some of these or none of these common diabetes symptoms:

• Unquenchable thirst
• Frequent urination
• Blurry vision
• Lethargic
• Fluctuation your weight
• Sores that don’t heal
• Tingling in your hands and feet
• Red swollen gums sometimes can be an indication

 

Pre-Diabetes Prevention

Taking these steps can prevent or delay a diabetes diagnosis:

• If diabetes runs in your family and you have excess weight- get tested for diabetes.
• Start exercising at least 30 minutes a day- five days a week. Work with a healthcare professional to decide which exercise is best suited for you and how long you can exert yourself. Having an exercise coach can make a big difference. You can work with an athletic coach in person or use an App.
• Watch what you eat by trading out your favorite high carbohydrate foods for a lower-carb version of the same meal. You can go to the Sugar Happy Kitchen for recipe ideas that do not compromise the taste of lower carbohydrate foods.
• Set weight loss goals with a healthcare professional and get a scale to measure your results.
• Surround yourself with people that keep you motivated.
• Stay inspired by reading other people’s success stories, reminding you that you can achieve your goals. 🙌