EXPLAIN EXACTLY WHAT PRE-DIABETES IS?
PRE-DIABETES IS A HEALTH CONDITION WHERE PEOPLE HAVE HIGHER THAN NORMAL BLOOD SUGAR, BUT NOT HIGH ENOUGH TO BE DIAGNOSED WITH DIABETES.
HOW CAN I FIND OUT IF I AM AT-RISK FOR PRE-DIABETES?
YOU CAN FIND OUT IF YOU ARE AT-RISK FOR PRE-DIABETES BY TAKING AN ONLINE RISK TEST RIGHT FROM YOUR COMPUTER OR MOBILE DEVICE. GO TO: WWW.AARP.ORG/PREDIABETES TO FIND OUT IF YOU ARE AT-RISK FOR PRE-DIABETES.
WHY IS PRE-DIABETES PARTICULARLY AN ISSUE FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS?
AFRICAN-AMERICANS HAVE ONE OF THE HIGHEST RISKS OF ALL RACIAL/ETHNIC GROUPS FOR DEVELOPING PRE-DIABETES, ACCORDING TO THE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION (CDC).
CAN PEOPLE WITH PRE-DIABETES DEVELOP TYPE 2 DIABETES?
YES, ACCORDING TO THE CDC, HAVING PRE-DIABETES PUTS A PERSON AT INCREASED RISK FOR DEVELOPING TYPE 2 DIABETES, AS WELL AS HEART DISEASE AND STROKE.
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR PRE-DIABETES?
SEVERAL FACTORS THAT CAN INCREASE A PERSON’S RISK OF PRE-DIABETES MENTIONED BY THE CDC ARE:
- BEING OVERWEIGHT
- NOT GETTING ENOUGH PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
- HAVING A PARENT, BROTHER, OR SISTER WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES
- BEING OVER THE AGE OF 40
- BEING A MAN
- BEING A WOMAN WITH A HISTORY OF HAVING DIABETES ASSOCIATED WITH A PREGNANCY
- BEING IN A HIGH-RISK RACIAL OR ETHNIC GROUP
FOR PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES, WHAT TYPE OF TESTS SHOULD I TAKE TO DIAGNOSE PRE-DIABETES AND WILL MOST INSURANCE COVER THE COST?
AFTER YOU TAKE THE ONLINE RISK TEST ON WWW.AARP.ORG/PREDIABETES AND YOU FIND OUT WHETHER YOU ARE AT-RISK FOR PRE-DIABETES, YOU NEED TO TAKE STEPS TO FIND OUT FOR SURE WHETHER YOU HAVE PRE-DIABETES OR NOT.
YOU CAN FIND OUT FOR SURE BY SEEING YOUR HEALTH PROVIDER WHO CAN GIVE YOU A BLOOD TEST THAT WILL TELL YOU WHETHER YOU ACTUALLY HAVE PRE-DIABETES OR NOT.
- IF YOU HAVE PRIVATE INSURANCE, PLEASE CHECK WITH YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY. YOUR INSURANCE MAY COVER THE BLOOD TEST AT NO COST TO YOU.
- IF YOU HAVE MEDICARE OR MEDICAID, THE COST OF YOUR BLOOD TEST SHOULD BE COVERED AT NO COST TO YOU.
- IF YOU DO NOT HAVE MEDICARE, MEDICAID, OR A PRIVATE INSURANCE, YOU COULD TRY TO FIND A COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER IN YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY THAT CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH A BLOOD TEST AT LITTLE OR NO COST.
REMEMBER, TAKING THE ONLINE RISK TEST ON WWW.AARP.ORG/PREDIABETES IS HELPFUL TO DETERMINE YOUR RISK FOR PRE-DIABETES, BUT IT’S NOT ENOUGH.
ONLY A BLOOD TEST ORDERED BY A HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONER CAN TELL YOU FOR SURE IF YOU HAVE PRE-DIABETES.
SO, IF YOU SCORE IN THE AT-RISK RANGE USING THE ONLINE RISK TEST, CONSULT WITH YOUR HEALH CARE PRACTITIONER.
THE RISK TEST IS NOT A REPLACEMENT FOR HAVING YOUR BLOOD TESTED FOR PRE-DIABETES.
IF I AM AT-RISK FOR OR ACTUALLY HAVE PRE-DIABETES, IS THERE ANYTHING THAT I CAN DO TO REVERSE THE CONDITION?
THE AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCiATION SAYS THAT LIFESTYLE CHANGES ARE EFFECTIVE IN PREVENTING TYPE 2 DIABETES AFTER YOU HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH PRE-DIABETES. MANY PEOPLE WITH PRE-DIABETES CAN GET THEIR BLOOD SUGAR TO RETURN TO NORMAL BY TAKING CERTAIN STEPS.
HOW DOES ONE’S WEIGHT AND/OR EXERCISE HABITS MAKE A DIFFERENCE WHEN IT COMES TO PRE-DIABETES?
MOST PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO LOWER THEIR RISK OF PRE-DIABETES THROUGH PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND HEALTHIER EATING HABITS. THESE ARE THINGS YOU CAN DO EVEN IF YOU DON’T HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE.
SO AIM FOR:
- EATING A HEALTHIER DIET CONSISTING OF FRUITS, VEGETABLES, AND WHOLE GRAINS, INSTEAD OF A DIET RICH IN ADDED SUGARS.
- LOSING A LITTLE WEIGHT. EVEN 10 TO 15 POUNDS CAN MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE.
- ENGAGING IN SOME MODERATE EXERCISE LIKE TALKING A BRISK WALK FOR 30 MINUTES (HALF AN HOUR) A DAY, FIVE DAYS A WEEK. HOWEVER, YOU SHOULD CHECK WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONER BEFORE STARTING A NEW EXERCISE REGIMEN.
AGAIN, YOU CAN TAKE THE FIRST STEP BY TAKING THE RISK TEST ON WWW.AARP.ORG/PREDIABETES.
Get the answers to your “TEXT TOM” questions on the next page.
Is the Keto diet good for diabetics?
You should consult with your health care provider to determine the diet that is right for you.
I have a question for the doctor, on my right hand the tip of 3 fingers get numb at night but by morning the numbness is gone, what causes that?
You were absolutely right! This is a question for your medical provider. You should consult with him or her as soon as possible regarding the numbness you are experiencing.
What if I have jittery or anxiety feelings from pre-diabetes? What to do?
You should see your health provider as soon as possible about this.
What is the A1C number range for pre diabetes?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the A1C test measures your average blood sugar level over the past 2 or 3 months.
An A1C below 5.7% is normal, and an A1C between 5.7 and 6.4% indicates you have pre-diabetes. For more on blood tests that can tell you if you have pre-diabetes, go HERE.
My doctor said I’m pre-diabetic with my A1C being 5.8 and the number should be <5.7 but my glucose is 70. So how much am I at risk?
You should consult with your health care provider to discuss best options for you, which may include further blood testing. In the meantime, you can assess if you’re at high risk for pre-diabetes by taking the risk test HERE.
My A1C was high last year and I was put on metformin medication. Will I have to take it for the rest of my life? My A1C in August 17 6.8 August of 18 5.7. I got it down using Weight Watchers and Planet Fitness. I don’t want to go on Insulin!
You should see your health care provider and discuss your options.
Is it easier to get rid of diabetes than to manage it?
It is best to prevent pre-diabetes from becoming diabetes. There are things you can do that are proven to help most people with pre-diabetes avoid developing diabetes. They include: eating a healthy diet, engaging in moderate exercise, and losing a moderate amount of weight (10-15 pounds).
What is the nurse’s awareness of uncooked okra and diabetes?
Honestly, I have never heard about this. The key to preventing pre-diabetes from becoming diabetes is eating a well-balanced healthy diet. Talk to your health care provider if you have specific dietary needs or questions.
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