Don’t ignore prediabetes.

The incidence of prediabetes is on the rise. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention the condition affects one in three people in the United States and nine of 10 people don’t know they have it. Many people who have prediabetes and don’t change their lifestyle will go on to develop type 2 diabetes within five years.

“It’s a progression so having prediabetes puts you at higher risk for going on and developing type 2 diabetes. They’re also at higher risk for cardiovascular disease and it’s becoming more and more common,” said Debra Richardson, registered nurse and certified diabetes educator at CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System.

Symptoms of prediabetes can be very subtle so it’s important to know the risk factors which include being overweight, 45 or older, physically inactive, having a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes, having gestational diabetes and giving birth to a baby that weighed more than 9 pounds.

“Someone may be a little thirstier than normal, they may have some fatigue but the main thing to know is if you have these risk factors you need to be tested by your physician. They need to have a screening and it should begin at about 40 or 45 years old whether it’s a random fasting blood sugar or A1c (which measures average glucose levels over a two to three month period),” Richardson said.

Someone who’s diagnosed with prediabetes can take steps to improve their health and prevent the condition from progressing into diabetes.

“This is the point where small changes can really impact whether they go on and develop diabetes or halt it for several years,” Richardson said.

Research shows that prediabetics can lower their risk by losing 5 to 7 percent of their body weight and getting at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week, according to the CDC website.

“Physical activity is very important,” Richardson said. “I think a lot of the high processed, high fat foods, the convenience foods we eat are a real big problem. Everybody wants to know what they can and can’t eat. We talk about healthy nutrition. I teach patients there’s nothing you can’t have. It all comes down to moderation and balanced meals, usually smaller portions than we’re used to eating.”

“We also talk about individualized activity. It’s not a matter of going out and joining a gym, although that’s great … Even if you can’t do that, get out and walk. Do what you can. Every little bit above what you normally do will make an impact,” Richardson said.

Uncontrolled type 2 diabetes carries with it many health risks.

“Type 2 diabetes is when the body doesn’t break down the sugar the way it should. It should break down carbohydrates into glucose. That glucose then gets into the blood stream where the cells use it for energy and for the glucose to reach those cells, insulin has to be there. Most people with type 2 diabetes have two problems- they’re insulin resistant meaning those cells don’t use it properly and they don’t make as much insulin as they need,” Richardson said. “Once you become diabetic it affects the tiny vessels in the body. You run the risk of eye disease, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease. It also affects they tiny vessels in the hands and feet.”

Controlling blood sugar can help diabetics avoid serious complications.

“My goal is to help them control their blood sugar to decrease the potential for complications. … You don’t have to have complications if you control your diabetes and decrease that risk. I teach my patients in our classes that they need to have their kidney function checked annual, a dilated eye exam annually, good foot care, take their medications and if they’re having a problem controlling their blood sugar to reach out to their physician or me,” Richardson said.