Could you have Prediabetes and Not Know It?

I’ve never heard of Prediabetes, what is it?  It’s a condition that comes before diabetes. A blood sugar level between 100—125, but not high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes.

Over the past several years we have become a nation of couch potatoes. Why rake the leaves when you can blow them into neat little piles in your yard with a leaf blower? We drive around the parking lot to get a space closest to the door. We complain when we can’t find the remote and have to actually get up off the couch to walk over and change the channel. We get home after a hard day at work, eat dinner (frequently from a fast food place) and then relax on the couch to watch some TV.  One or two shows can turn into an entire evening of mindless TV viewing.

In the US, obesity has become an epidemic. The rising rates of obesity are linked to rising rates of diabetes. Adults, teens and even preschoolers are overweight. The sad fact is that this is the first generation that will probably have a shorter lifespan than their parents. Years before a person is actually diagnosed with diabetes, their heart and circulatory system have already been damaged. 26 million Americans have diabetes. That’s almost 8% of the population! 79 million Americans have diabetes and don’t know it. 95% of all diabetes is Type 2, the body makes insulin but has trouble getting it into the cells. Type 1 Diabetes is usually diagnosed when a person is younger and requires insulin because the pancreas makes no insulin at all.

Check your risk for diabetes by taking the CDC 7-question Risk Test.   Could you be one of them? Diabetes 2 can be prevented by exercising, losing wt, and eating healthier foods. Watch this 60 second video.

Check out this smartphone app from the American Diabetes Association!

 

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