Prediabetes: A chance to turn your health around

You feel fine. You have no symptoms. But you still may have prediabetes.

Life is busy, and a routine blood test is probably the last thing on your mind, but for millions of Americans, it can lead to a crucial diagnosis. Prediabetes is a condition that often goes unnoticed but can have a major impact on your future health.

The good news? It’s often possible to reverse prediabetes through healthy lifestyle changes, especially when it’s caught early.

A common, silent condition

Prediabetes means blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough for a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. More than 2 in 5 U.S. adults have prediabetes, and the condition often goes undetected for years. It usually has no noticeable symptoms.

If blood sugar levels continue to rise, prediabetes can develop into type 2 diabetes, increasing the risk of future health problems. Approximately 1 in 10 Americans has type 2 diabetes, making it one of the nation’s most common chronic health conditions.

The good news? Prediabetes often is reversible when identified early and addressed with healthy lifestyle changes.

Know your risk

While anyone can develop prediabetes, certain factors increase your risk. Talk with your healthcare provider about screening if any of these apply to you:

• You’re 45 or older.
• You are overweight.
• A parent or sibling has type 2 diabetes.
• You are physically active fewer than three times a week.
• You had gestational diabetes during pregnancy.
• You have polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), previously known as polycystic ovary syndrome.

Because prediabetes rarely causes symptoms, screening often is the only way to know if your blood sugar is higher than it should be. A simple blood test can provide answers and help you act early.

Small changes can protect your health

A prediabetes diagnosis is not a life sentence. In many cases, healthy habits can lower blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Healthy steps include:

• Losing 5% to 7% of your body weight.
• Getting at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week.
• Eating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
• Paying attention to portion sizes.
• Cutting back on sugary drinks and highly processed foods.

These changes don’t just help prevent diabetes – they can lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. Early action is an important investment in your long-term health.

Take the first step

Prediabetes is easy to miss, but it also is one of the few health warning signs that gives you time to change course.

If you haven’t talked with your healthcare provider about your risk, now is a great time to do so. A simple screening could give you valuable information about your health and the chance to make small changes that lead to a healthier future.