Are You at Risk for Diabetes?

Preventive medicine focuses on preventing diseases before they even occur. At Trinity Salem Family Health Clinic, Yaminah Matthews, APRN, FNP-C, and her team specialize in chronic disease management, including managing type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes affects more than 37 million Americans, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about 1 in 5 people with diabetes are unaware they have it. 

Diabetes can impact nearly every part of your body — from your kidneys to your feet to your vision — making treatment vital to your overall health. But first, you need to know you have it. 

Read on to learn the risk factors and how to reduce them.

Risk factors for diabetes

Reducing your risk of any disease starts with assessing your current risk factors and devising a plan based on your personal and family medical history and other relevant factors. The risk factors for diabetes fall into one of two categories: those you can control and those you can’t.

Risk factors you can’t control

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), non-modifiable risk factors include having a family history of diabetes, being over the age of 40, or having gestational diabetes. 

The AHA also notes that certain races and ethnic backgrounds have a higher chance of developing diabetes. This includes African-American, Asian-American, Latino/Hispanic-American, Native Americans, and Pacific Islanders.

Risk factors you can control

Modifiable risk factors include being overweight or obese, being sedentary, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, chronic stress, and poor diet. Diet and activity levels play a significant role in the development of diabetes. A diet high in calories, fat, sugar, processed foods, and cholesterol (and low in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains) can increase your risk of diabetes.

Another critical risk factor for diabetes is a prediabetes diagnosis. As many as 70% of individuals with prediabetes eventually develop diabetes. Prediabetes means you have elevated blood sugar levels but not high enough to justify a diabetes diagnosis. 

What to do if you’re at risk for diabetes

If you’re at risk for diabetes, it’s important to take action now. You don’t have to wait for prediabetes to develop into diabetes before you start making lifestyle modifications. Taking action now can help prevent both prediabetes and diabetes. 

Exercising regularly and eating a heart-friendly diet can help reduce your risk of diabetes. Exercise helps prevent diabetes by:

• Helping you maintain a healthy weight
• Helping your muscle cells use insulin and glucose more efficiently
• Improving your sensitivity to insulin 

In addition to exercise, making a few dietary modifications can help lower your diabetes risk. The Diabetes Plate Method is a way of eating to help manage your blood sugar levels. 

If you adopt the Diabetes Plate Method, one-half of your plate should be filled with vegetables. One-quarter is filled with lean protein, such as fish or chicken, and the final quarter is filled with carbohydrates, including starchy vegetables and whole grains. 

Again, you don’t have to wait until you have diabetes to eat this way. A diet rich in fruit, vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains can help prevent diabetes.

Get screened today

There’s no way to prevent diabetes with 100% certainty. That’s because some risk factors aren’t within your control. This is why preventive screenings are so important. Here at Candid Primary Care, we offer diabetes screenings to help spot potential problems before they become big problems. 

Untreated diabetes can take a toll on your physical and mental wellness, but it can be managed with diet, exercise, and, if needed, medication. If you’re at risk for diabetes, the Trinity Salem Family Health Clinic team can help you safely lower your blood sugar levels. 

For an assessment of your diabetes risk, give us a call to request an appointment. We offer in-person and telehealth appointments.