People with pre-diabetes type illnesses are somewhere between having the disease and being normal. These people may be at increased risk for diabetes, heart attack, and stroke. Certain lifestyle changes can help to decrease the risk for diabetes, including weight loss. Increased physical activity may help to prevent diabetes or may help to at least delay its onset.

Types of Illnesses

There are two types of pre-diabetes illnesses. These include impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance. The first form of illness simply means that after fasting, the person’s glucose level in the blood is between 100 to 125 mg/dL. This means that the person’s blood sugar level is higher than normal but not quite high enough to classify the person as diabetic.

The second type of illness, called impaired glucose tolerance, also consists of a person having a high level of glucose but not such a high level that the person is diagnosed with the disease. Fasting impaired glucose affects over 35 million people ages 40 to 74, while over 16 million people of the same age group are affected by impaired glucose tolerance. Some patients experience both forms of pre-diabetes illnesses, though, bringing the total of people ages 40 to 74 with the diseases up to 41 million.

People with these illnesses can help to prevent the onset of diabetes by making wise decisions. Eating a healthy, balanced diet low in sugar can help to decrease the likelihood of developing diabetes. Exercise is great for people with pre-illnesses, too. Walking or other aerobic activity helps to stimulate the body and to encourage a healthy and active existence. Since being overweight is such a big factor, losing excess weight is the key to maintaining a long and healthy life. People with pre-diabetes type illnesses should schedule frequent appointments with their healthcare provider in order to better ensure their monitoring and blood sugar levels. It is important that healthy lifestyle changes be made as soon as possible, so that future damage is kept to a minimum.

People who suspect they may have pre-diabetes illnesses should talk to their doctor about having a blood test done. Knowing what you have definitively can help making wise choices seem like a more doable task.

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