Prediabetes: Why acting now matters

An endocrinologist explains how early lifestyle changes can prevent Type 2 diabetes.

You’ve just been for your routine blood work and have been told that you have an elevated A1C level — high enough to be considered as having prediabetes.

You’re not alone. The American Diabetes Association estimates that around 115 million Americans have prediabetes. Even more shocking is that an estimated 92 million people have not been tested and don’t even know they may have it. So, if you’re in the group that has been told you have prediabetes, you’re a step ahead and can take action!

What exactly does that mean and what should you do about it?

“If you are told that you have prediabetes, now is the time to act,” said Manikya Kuriti, M.D., endocrinologist with Wendy Novak Diabetes Institute, a part of Norton Healthcare, and with Norton Community Medical Associates – Endocrinology. “Prediabetes means that your daily blood sugar is already above what is normal, but you don’t yet have any of the classic symptoms of diabetes. Having prediabetes, though, means you are at a very high risk to develop Type 2 diabetes in the future.

“A major sign is A1C of between 5.7% and 6.4%. Other risks include if you are overweight, 45 and older, have a family history of Type 2 diabetes and don’t get regular exercise.”

The good news: You have a chance of slowing, or possibly even reversing, the progression of prediabetes into Type 2 diabetes.

Tips for reducing the risk of prediabetes turning into Type 2 diabetes:

• Change what you eat, reducing the amount of refined carbohydrates and sugar that you eat, along with watching portion size. “You will want to focus on whole grains, lean meats and proteins, green vegetables, fruits and healthy fats,” Dr. Kuriti said. “This is essentially the Mediterranean-style diet.”
• Start exercising and aim for 30 minutes of activity at least three days a week and increase from there. This will help everything from physical health to mental health.
• Reduce stress with exercise, good sleep and techniques such as meditation.
• Be sure you follow up with your medical provider.

“If you have prediabetes, it is important to learn about monitoring your diet, especially carbohydrate intake and exercise and have close follow-up with your healthcare provider to make sure what you’re doing is showing results and an improvement in A1C,” Dr. Kuriti said. “If symptoms of diabetes do occur, or your A1C rises, then medication may be needed to complement the healthy lifestyle efforts.”

About Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is diagnosed when your body cannot properly use insulin, and your blood glucose cannot be managed by your pancreas. Treatments include diet plans, exercise, weight loss and medication. Type 2 diabetes can lead to stroke; heart disease; kidney disease; eye disease; issues with feet, skin and mouth; hearing loss; and nerve damage. It also can cause diabetic ketoacidosis (dangerously acidic blood), which can be life-threatening. The goal of treatment is to properly manage blood glucose to reduce the risks of serious complications.

Symptoms of Type 2 diabetes include frequent urination, ongoing thirst or hunger, fatigue, blurry vision, slow-healing cuts or bruises, or feelings of pain, numbness or tingling in hands and or feet.

If you have been diagnosed with prediabetes, talk to your provider specifically about follow-up.

To schedule an appointment with a specialists at Wendy Novak Diabetes Institute, call (502) 559-3636 (ENDO).

Wendy Novak Diabetes Institute

Wendy Novak Diabetes Institute services are offered to children and adults in inpatient and outpatient settings. The institute is fueled by funding from the Lift a Life Novak Family Foundation.

The Lift a Life Novak Family Foundation was established in 1999 through a charitable trust by David and Wendy Novak. It has given $20 million to the Norton Children’s Hospital Foundation since 2013 with a goal to build a national center of excellence by expanding diabetes care services across the region, helping children and adults with diabetes manage their conditions. This includes education and treatment for all kinds of diabetes, a specialty program that facilitates the transition from pediatric to adult care and a program that provides management of diabetes for those with diabetes who participate in sports and physical activities. The Norton Islet Cell Research & Transplant Programwithin Wendy Novak Diabetes Institute, a part of Norton Healthcare and Norton Children’s, is funded through generous support from the Norton Children’s Hospital Foundation, thanks to donations from the community with lead gifts from the James and Judith K. Dimon Foundation and the Lift a Life Novak Family Foundation.