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Around 96 million adults have prediabetes — the predecessor to type 2 diabetes — but more than 80% don't know it, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Also, diabetes is a rising threat to kids and teens. In fact, the CDC also says that 1 in 5 teens aged 12-18 years has prediabetes. 

 

"The problem with type 2 diabetes is that it can progress silently over many years, so the diagnosis may be delayed until the blood sugars are very high and a person becomes very symptomatic," says Dr. Wilson Sze, an endocrinologist at Houston Methodist Cypress Hospital.

 

However, Type 2 diabetes is preventable, and early action can stop prediabetes from progressing.

 

“In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas stops making insulin due to an autoimmune process,” says Dr. Sze. “In prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, insulin is still produced, but it is insulin resistance from the body that causes the blood sugars to rise. To keep blood sugar in control, the pancreas works harder. Over time, the insulin producing cells cannot keep up with the needs of the body to maintain adequate glucose control”.

In fact, by the time a person has prediabetes, 50% to 60% of these cells have died off. 

As for what causes all of this to happen in the first place, type 2 diabetes risk factors include genetics, being overweight, a sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, and ethnicity. In fact, according to the CDC, your risk is higher if you are African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian or an Alaska Native.

The signs of diabetes include frequent urination, excessive thirst, lack of energy, unexplained weight loss, blurred vision, and foot numbness or tingling.

“Many times, the symptoms people notice first are worsening thirst and urination.” says Dr. Sze. "They find themselves persistently thirsty despite drinking more and are going to the restroom more often and are waking up frequently to urinate”.

A fasting blood glucose or A1C test can help detect issues early.

"It is very important for patients to follow up with their physician routinely. It is recommended that screening should begin at the age of 35 years. However, testing should be considered earlier in individuals who are overweight, or have other risk factors” says Dr. Sze. 

For more information and to see a list of Houston Methodist endocrinologists, go to houstonmethodist.org/diabetes.