Many of us in the Houston and Katy area are familiar with the term “diabetes,” but we might not recognize the word “prediabetes.” Prediabetes means a person’s blood sugar level is higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 1 in 3 Americans have prediabetes. Alarmingly, over 80% of people with prediabetes are unaware they have it.
Prediabetes can persist for years without clear symptoms, often going undetected until serious chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke emerge. Given the stealthy nature of prediabetes, understanding how to prevent and reverse it is crucial.
The CDC recommends several strategies to combat prediabetes and reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes:
Lose Weight: Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight through physical activity, healthy eating, and stress management is key for preventing diabetes
Lifestyle Change Program: Enrolling in a lifestyle change program, such as the National Diabetes Prevention Program, can provide the support and resources needed to make sustainable health changes.
By taking these steps, you can improve your health and prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes. Health services and programs focusing on disease control and prevention are essential tools in this fight against chronic disease.
