What is Prediabetes?
If you have been told that you have prediabetes, you are probably wondering how your condition is different from diabetes and does that mean you will eventually get diabetes, and when? Prediabetes means that you have a higher than normal (normal is less than 5.7%) Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), blood glucose (normal is less than 99) and body mass index (BMI-normal is less than 25). If left unchecked, this condition can lead to Type 2 diabetes, heart disease or stoke (Diabetes Home, 2018).
How to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes
A lot of times, being diagnosed with prediabetes is not taken seriously and people think “Well I don’t have it yet, so I do not need to do anything. I will worry about it when I get Diabetes, since it is inevitable.” That is farthest from the truth, with lifestyle changes like losing weight (around 12 lbs for a 200 lbs person) and increasing your exercise (30 minutes a day 5 days a week of brisk walking); can decrease the chance of developing Type 2 diabetes.
For more information, talk to a BlueShield of Northeastern New York's Health Coach. They can help with your prevention plan and get you started.
Not sure if you are at risk for Type 2 Diabetes?
Contact Our Health Management Team
Speak with a case manager today! Call 1-877-878-8785, option 2.
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