Prediabetes Explained: A Stealthy Risk Everyone Needs to Know About

Have you heard of prediabetes? It’s like a stealthy intruder that can compromise your health. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 96 million US adults have prediabetes.

That’s around 38% of the adult population – or possibly 4 out of every 10 adults! And even worse, nearly 80% of them are unaware of their condition.¹

It may seem that with all the modern technology, focus on healthcare, and promotion of healthy lifestyles, the situation should improve year by year. However, it turns out that things don’t always work that way.

Between 2013 and 2020, the rates of prediabetes increased from 38% to 41% for men and from 31% to 32% for women.²

While the numbers may be alarming, our intention is not to make you anxious but to provide you with valuable information and empower you to take control of your health.

So let’s figure out what prediabetes is and what’s in your power to do with it.

What Is Prediabetes Exactly?

Prediabetes is a condition that precedes type 2 diabetes. It’s a warning sign from your body, indicating that your blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be classified as diabetes. 

Think of it as a yellow light flashing on your health dashboard, urging you to take action and make positive changes.

Here’s the crucial point: If left unaddressed, prediabetes can progress to type 2 diabetes, a chronic condition requiring lifelong management.

Watch Out for These Prediabetes Risk Factors

Prediabetes can affect anyone, but certain factors can heighten your risk.

Understanding the risk factors is crucial in taking proactive steps toward prevention and early intervention. So what are those?

• Excess weight, particularly around the waistline
• Lack of physical activity and a predominantly sedentary lifestyle
• Family history of type 2 diabetes
• Diets high in processed foods, sugary beverages, refined carbohydrates, and saturated fats
• Age, especially after 45 years old
• High blood pressure (hypertension) or abnormal lipid (cholesterol) levels

These are among the most common risk factors associated with the development of prediabetes, but it’s important to note that the list is not exhaustive.

However, being aware of these factors can help you assess your personal risk and take proactive measures to reduce your chances of developing the condition.

The Good and the Bad News About Prediabetes

Another tricky thing about prediabetes (like it wasn’t enough already) is that it often lacks noticeable symptoms. In fact, many individuals may have prediabetes without even realizing it. 

Some indicators that your health may be heading in the wrong direction include:

• Increased thirst or hunger
• Frequent urination
• Fatigue
• Unexplained weight loss or gain
• Slow healing of wounds

As you can see, these symptoms can be subtle and easily overlooked or attributed to other causes.

That’s why it’s crucial to be proactive and get tested if you have any risk factors or concerns.

But here’s the good news: By recognizing the signs, making lifestyle changes, and seeking proper guidance, you can delay or even prevent the progression to type 2 diabetes.

Detecting prediabetes early offers a window of opportunity to take preventive action and promote long-term health. 

Luckily, there are some tools that can help you spot and manage prediabetes. For example, Klinio specializes in helping people manage their prediabetes and diabetes conditions.

Klinio can assist not only in risk assessment but also in managing diabetes effectively.

It offers easy-to-follow meal plans featuring over 45,000 recipes tailored to your preferences, accompanied by an in-app grocery list.

Klinio also aids in enhancing your activity levels through beginner home workouts. In addition, it offers daily practical tips to educate and motivate you on how to manage diabetes effectively. 

Prediabetes can be shrouded in confusion and fear, but by recognizing the signs and taking action, you have the power to regain control of your health and your future.

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