As of 2023, approximately 40.1 million people have diagnosed or undiagnosed diabetes in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Diabetes Statistics Report.
Diabetes is a disease in which an individual’s blood glucose levels are too high and the pancreas makes little to no insulin, the hormone which facilitates glucose into the body’s cells. The most common types of diabetes are Type 1 and Type 2. However, before diabetes develops, many individuals experience a condition called prediabetes. Suzanne Cantley, a nurse practitioner at UAB St. Vincent’s Primary Care in Trussville, Alabama, shares her insight and tips on managing prediabetes.
What is prediabetes?
According to Cantley, prediabetes is when blood sugar levels are abnormally high but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. Based on the CDC’s National Diabetes Statistics Report, an estimated 115.2 million adults are living with prediabetes in the United States. Prediabetes acts as an early warning sign for developing Type 2 diabetes, which increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, blindness or limb loss.
What are the factors and symptoms of prediabetes?
Factors that can lead to prediabetes are physical inactivity and a poor diet consisting of sugary drinks and processed foods. These factors lead to becoming overweight, particularly in the abdominal region.
According to Cantley, many times there are no symptoms for prediabetes. However, subtle symptoms can include:
- Darkened areas of the skin on the back of neck, armpits or groin
- Unusual fatigue
- Excess thirst or hunger
- Blurred vision
- Slowly healing cuts
If one is experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis and guidance on appropriate treatment or next steps.
Is prediabetes reversable?
Fortunately, prediabetes is reversable through implementing healthier lifestyle habits such as:
- Weight loss
- Cutting sugary drinks, white bread and pastries
- Exercising 30 minutes a day for five days a week
For those who may not be used to exercising or eating healthy, Canter recommends individuals start small with five-minute daily walks and then increasing by five minutes every day. In drinks, substituting soda with sparkling water and substituting sweet tea with tea flavored with stevia are small effective ways to slowly develop sustainable habits.
“It does not take a dramatic weight loss to reverse prediabetes,” Cantley said. “Studies show that it can be reversed by as little as 5 percent weight loss.”
For instance, if someone weighs 250 pounds, they can reverse their prediabetes by losing as little as 12 pounds.
“You don’t have to join a gym or run marathons; you can start with walking five minutes a day and increasing by five minutes each week. This could be a five-minute walk around your neighborhood or even walking in place for five minutes,” Cantley said.
Call 205-508-6370 to make an appointment with Cantley at UAB St. Vincent’s Primary Care in Trussville.