Parkland diabetes expert urges screening for prediabetes
Condition affects more than 86 million Americans
Think of it as a wake-up call, one that can help turn your health around.
Prediabetes affects some 86 million individuals in the U.S. who are 20 years of age and older, according to the American Diabetes Association. Prediabetes is a condition in which the body has difficulty processing glucose (sugar) because it is struggling to make enough insulin. And while blood sugar levels are higher than normal, they have not yet reached type 2 diabetes levels.
“The bad news is that for many people, prediabetes can lead to full-blown diabetes. The good news is that prediabetes gives individuals an opportunity to change their lifestyle, become more active, look at healthier food options, lose weight and in so doing prevent the progression to type 2 diabetes,” said Luigi Meneghini, MD, MBA, Executive Director of the Global Diabetes Program at Parkland Health & Hospital System and Professor of Internal Medicine at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.
Getting a handle on prediabetes is crucial. November is designated American Diabetes Month, a time to increase attention on the disease that is the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S. Complications resulting from poorly controlled diabetes can be severe and debilitating and include kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplantation, diabetic foot disease leading to amputations, blindness due to diabetic eye disease, heart failure, paralysis due to strokes, painful peripheral neuropathy, early dementia, depression and anxiety.
And while diabetes is a national concern (an estimated 29.1 million Americans have diabetes), the disease is even more prevalent in Texas and in Dallas County. Diabetes affects about 10 percent of the state’s population, while more than 11 percent of Dallas County residents have the disease. The national average is 9 percent. In an effort to tackle this serious health risk, Parkland has developed the Global Diabetes Program.
“The goal of Parkland’s Global Diabetes Program is to provide the most effective model of healthcare delivery for people living with diabetes in Dallas County,” Dr. Meneghini said.
Screening people for prediabetes enables early intervention that can help prevent the person from developing diabetes. A person is considered to have prediabetes if they have a fasting blood glucose level of between 100 and 125 milligrams per deciliters, or if the person has a value of between 5.7 percent and 6.4 percent on an A1C, or glycosylated hemoglobin test. A fasting plasma glucose test or an A1C measurement are simple ways to screen for prediabetes and diabetes.
As someone ages, gains weight or becomes sedentary, the risk of developing prediabetes and diabetes increases. Individuals at high risk should consider regular screening, especially after 45 years of age. These include those who have family members with type 2 diabetes, or who developed diabetes during pregnancy, are a member of a high-risk ethnic group, have heart disease, high triglycerides or low HDL (good) cholesterol.
While some people with high blood sugars from diabetes may have symptoms such as frequent urination, excessive thirst, extreme fatigue or blurry vision, most people with prediabetes and even early diabetes have no symptoms at all.
“Because diabetes symptoms may not be present until very late, diagnosis is often delayed or missed and individuals are exposed to high blood sugars which over time can cause damage to eyes, kidneys and nerves. That’s why regular screening is so important,” Dr. Meneghini said.
Anyone with prediabetes can begin to take control of their situation by eating healthier foods that are lower in saturated fat and higher in fiber. In addition, getting more physical activity helps. This can include a brisk walk, bicycle ride, swim or other workout you feel comfortable doing. Losing excess weight is also important. In some cases a physician may recommend medication to help bring down blood glucose levels.
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