Having diabetes means the glucose (sugar) levels in your blood are too high. Diabetes is a chronic (long-term) condition.
You are more likely to get type 2 diabetes if you are overweight and inactive or if you have prediabetes. People with prediabetes have blood glucose levels higher than normal, but not enough to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Having prediabetes increases your risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
Diabetes is a leading cause of disability and death in the United States. The good news is that you can do a lot to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes, including:
- Watching your weight
- Eating healthy
- Staying active
Talk with your doctor or nurse about steps you can take to prevent type 2 diabetes.
What do I ask the doctor?
Visiting the doctor can be stressful. It helps to have questions written down ahead of time. Print these questions and take them with you when you visit the doctor. You may also want to ask a family member or close friend to go with you to take notes.
- Am I at risk for prediabetes or type 2 diabetes?
- Do you recommend that I get tested for prediabetes or type 2 diabetes?
- Are there any warning signs of diabetes I should watch for?
- Does my weight put me at risk for type 2 diabetes?
- If I’m overweight, how much weight do I need to lose to lower my risk?
- How much physical activity do I need to help prevent or delay type 2 diabetes?
- What changes can I make to my diet to help prevent or delay type 2 diabetes?
- What are some healthy ways to lose weight and keep it off?
- What are my blood pressure numbers and cholesterol levels – and are they normal?
- Do my blood pressure numbers and cholesterol levels put me at risk for type 2 diabetes?
- Can you give me some information about preventing type 2 diabetes to take home with me?
- Can you recommend a diabetes prevention program nearby?