For many people, diabetes is something that they deal with on a regular basis, but for 88 million people prediabetes should be on their radar. Prediabetes is a precursor to diabetes that puts a person at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Prediabetes is something that can be controlled through lifestyle changes, and Doctors urge you to do something about it now rather than wait. Tanya Munger, a nurse practitioner with OSF Health Care Endocrinology, explains that prediabetes is what happens when your blood glucose levels are too high.

People can have prediabetes for years without any warning and that can lead to serious health problems. Risk factors include having a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes, being overweight, being 45 years or older, and lack of exercise or living a sedentary lifestyle. 

Diabetes can affect every major organ in your body and can lead to an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.  It can cause kidney failure, blindness, nerve damage, and even depression. Munger encourages her patients with prediabetes to stay active and engage in exercise.

Munger also says that health care professionals can educate their patients about how important prediabetes is and what they can do to prevent it. The biggest thing is if you are experiencing prediabetes symptoms or have any of the risk factors, start now to prevent it from becoming a problem.

For more information on prediabetes talk to your physician.