Are you at risk for prediabetes?

More than 1 in 3 Americans have prediabetes, and 90 percent of them do not know it.

Prediabetes is a condition where blood sugar levels are impaired but are not high enough to be considered diabetes. Most people do not have symptoms so it can go undetected without screening.

Unfortunately, many with this condition will develop diabetes within a short period of time if the condition is not addressed.

In addition, those with prediabetes are at increased risk for heart disease and stroke. If diabetes develops there is also the risk of blindness, kidney failure, and loss of limb from amputation.

The good news is that with healthy lifestyle modifications, education, and potentially medication diabetes can often be prevented.

Identifying the early stages of glucose impairment before diabetes develops is an important way to reverse and prevent chronic disease.

If you have one or more of the following risk factors, talk to your doctor about screening for prediabetes: age greater than 45, overweight or obese, a history of gestational diabetes, limited exercise, elevated blood pressure, or a family history of diabetes.

If you have prediabetes or are at risk for developing diabetes there are several lifestyle changes that can greatly decrease your risk.

While making lifestyle changes can be challenging, even small adjustments can have lasting results. Losing five to seven percent of body weight can prevent or delay the progression to diabetes.

Replacing processed and packaged food with vegetables, fruits, and lean protein such as chicken, fish, and turkey improves nutrition and decreases calories.

Avoiding white flour in pasta, pastries, and bagels and instead choosing whole grain options for carbohydrates can improve blood sugar levels.

Increasing exercise to a goal of 150 minutes per week and getting enough restful sleep can also help lower glucose levels and prevent diabetes.

Managing stress is another important component of a healthy lifestyle. Finally, limiting added sugar in foods to 25 grams (6 teaspoons) for women and 37.5 grams (nine teaspoons) for men is advised by the American Heart Association.

For more information or to find a doctor to assist you with screening or treatment for prediabetes, visit HonorHealth.com.

Tiffany Pankow, M.D., is a primary care physician at HonorHealth Medical Group, 4840 E. Indian School Road, No. 101, Phoenix, 480-882-7350.