GET TESTED FOR DIABETES

Do you have prediabetes?
Diabetes is a serious disease that can have a big impact on your health. But, some people have something called “prediabetes,” which means that their blood sugar levels are higher than normal but are not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.

If you have been diagnosed with prediabetes, it means that you might get Type 2 diabetes. It also means that you are more likely to get heart disease or have a stroke. About 86 million people in America who are 20 years and older have prediabetes, says the American Diabetes Association.

The good news
The good news is that you can take steps to put off or keep from getting Type 2 diabetes.

Parkland doctors say that people who have a high chance of getting diabetes should get tested for it often. This includes if someone in your family has Type 2 diabetes such as a brother, sister, mother or father; if you had diabetes while pregnant (called gestational diabetes); or if you have heart disease or low HDL (good) cholesterol.

Take a quick test by going to https://DoIHavePrediabetes.org/. If you scored five points or more, you could have prediabetes. The only way to know for sure is to talk to a doctor.

Make changes to keep from getting diabetes
If you don’t take care of your diabetes, your health will get worse. Some problems you could get include heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure, foot or leg amputations (cutting the foot or leg off), nerve damage and problems in pregnancy. You can prevent most of these health problems.

Making some changes can keep you from getting diabetes.

• Eat healthier foods low in saturated fat and high in fiber. For example, eat salad with low-fat dressing and at least one vegetable at dinner every night.
• Move more. Take a walk, ride your bike or swim for half an hour, five days a week.
• Lose weight if you are overweight. Any weight loss, even 7 percent or losing about 15 pounds if you weigh 200, may prevent or delay your risk for diabetes.

If you have been diagnosed with prediabetes, this is a good chance to take care of your health to prevent getting Type 2 diabetes. Talk to your doctor about steps you can take to keep your blood sugar under control. To learn more about diabetes, go to http://www.parklandhospital.com/diabetesfacts.