You At Your Best

8 | YOU AT YOUR BEST | NWADG.COM/YOUATYOURBEST OCTOBER - DIABETES | SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2017 SPECIAL TO NWA DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly half of Americans between the ages of 40 and 74 have prediabetes, a condition that occurs when blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. Having prediabetes raises a person's risk for developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke. "The good news is that prediabetes doesn't have to lead to type 2 diabetes or its complications," says C. Rachel Kilpatrick, M.D., an endocrinologist at Washington Regional Endocrinology Clinic. "Early intervention often can return blood sugar levels to the normal range." Healthy lifestyle habits are the key to delaying or preventing type 2 diabetes, Dr. Kilpatrick says. "Research shows that people with prediabetes can help prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes by losing some weight – about 7 percent of their total body weight – and getting at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week." Prediabetes typically has no signs or symptoms, according to Dr. Kilpatrick, so screening is extremely important. The American Diabetes Association recommends routine blood glucose screenings for everyone, starting at age 45. "Everyone should know their fasting glucose number," Dr. Kilpatrick says, adding that the normal range is 60-100 mg/dL. "Ask your primary care provider about diabetes screening tests and ways to manage your blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels. These can affect your risk of developing prediabetes." Prediabetes risk increases with age, she says, and also with: • Family history of diabetes or prediabetes • Sedentary lifestyle • Body mass index over 24 – or 22 for people of Asian descent • For women, gestational diabetes during pregnancy or polycystic ovary syndrome "The more risk factors that apply to you, the more important it is to make sure you are taking action to prevent diabetes," Dr. Kilpatrick says. Washington Regional Endocrinology Clinic is located in the William L. Bradley Medical Plaza, on Appleby Road across from the medical center. Be alert to diabetes risk factors What is prediabetes? "Everyone should know their fasting glucose number," Dr. C. Rachel Kilpatrick, M.D.

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