How to Tell if you Have Pre-diabetes

While diabetes and pre-diabetes occur in people of all ages and races, some groups have a higher risk for developing the disease than others. Diabetes is more common in African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, and Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders, as well as the aged population. This means they are also at increased risk for developing pre-diabetes.
There are two different tests your doctor can use to determine whether you have pre-diabetes: the fasting plasma glucose test (FPG) or the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). The blood glucose levels measured after these tests determine whether you have a normal metabolism, or whether you have pre-diabetes or diabetes. If your blood glucose level is abnormal following the FPG, you have impaired fasting glucose (IFG); if your blood glucose level is abnormal following the OGTT, you have impaired glucose tolerance (IGT).

The American Diabetes Association Risk Test for Diabetes can help you determine if you are at increased risk for diabetes or pre-diabetes. A high score may indicate that you have pre-diabetes or at risk for pre-diabetes. Take the test and find out for sure.

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Who's at Risk for Diabetes?

Your risk for diabetes goes up as you get older, gain too much weight, or if you do not stay active. Diabetes is more common in African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Risk factors for diabetes include:

• Having high blood pressure (at or above 130/80)
• Having a family history of diabetes
• Having diabetes during pregnancy or having a baby weighing more than nine pounds at birth.

Signs of Diabetes

• frequent urination
• increased thirst
• extreme tiredness
• weight loss (in spite of increased appetite)
• blurred vision
• slow-healing infections or wounds
• pain, numbness or tingling in the feet
• stomach pain
• vomiting
• rapid, shallow breathing
• sexual problems (impotence in men, decrease in vaginal fluids in women).

Other signs that may indicate possible diabetes are:

• low levels of high-density lipoproteins in the blood
• high triglyceride levels.

Symptoms can appear suddenly or over time. And, it's unlikely that anyone would have all of these symptoms. It is possible to have type 2 diabetes with no early symptoms.

Causes of Diabetes

No one is sure what causes diabetes. But research has shown that the risk of diabetes may be higher for some people. Risk factors include:

• a history of diabetes in the family
• being overweight
• being inactive
• being over age 45
• being of African, Asian, Hispanic, Native American or Pacific Islander heritage
• high blood pressure
• exposure to certain viruses that damage the pancreas
• a history of gestational diabetes or having delivered a baby weighing over 9 lbs.

Type 2 Diabetes

• The pancreas makes some insulin, but either it is not enough or the cells do not use it correctly.
• Some people with type 2 diabetes can control their blood sugar level with proper diet and exercise. Others will need insulin and/or diabetes pills, along with proper diet and exercise.

Type 1 Diabetes

• The pancreas (a gland behind the stomach) makes little or no insulin. Insulin acts like a key to help cells use blood sugar.
• People with type 1 diabetes need daily insulin shots- along with proper diet and exercise- to stay healthy.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a condition in which the level of glucose in the blood- called blood sugar- is too high.
Normally, the body gets the energy it needs from blood sugar, which comes from food. Having diabetes means the body is not able to use blood sugar properly. As a result, blood sugar builds up in the blood.

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