Pre-diabetes the Warning Sign to Take Seriously

There is no doubt that Diabetes is a growing problem in America. Millions of people have either type 1 or type two diabetes, with many more being diagnosed each Year

And type 2 by far being the most prevalent.

In an effort to control the epidemic, doctors now try to identify individuals at risk for diabetes before they develop the disease. They for signs that show a person is beginning to develop the disease. They have developed criteria for diagnosis of pre-diabetes which gives the individual a chance to delay or prevent the development of type 2 diabetes.

Pre-diabetes occurs when blood glucose levels are elevated, but not enough to be considered diabetic. The American Diabetes Association estimates that as many as 41 million Americans, or 40% of individuals between 40and 74 years old, have pre-diabetes. And studies show that most of those people will develop diabetes within 10 years, if they don't adopt lifestyle changes to control their risks.

Pre-diabetes develops slowly with no obvious signs or symptoms. But the risk factors to watch out for include: being overweight; having a family history of diabetes; Low HDL cholesterol and high triglycerides; High blood pressure or family history of it; history of gestational diabetes or giving birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds; and, African-American, Latino, Native American or Asian-American ethnic origin.

Everyone over 45 should be tested by their doctor or younger if you have one or more of the above risk factors.