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Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, which impacts the body’s production of insulin causing sugar to build up in your blood. It is a serious condition that can lead to several health issues.
Prediabetes means that the blood glucose (sugar) level is higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. If you have prediabetes and do not lose weight or do moderate physical activity, you can develop type 2 diabetes within five years.
You are at increased risk for developing prediabetes and type 2 diabetes if you:
- Are 45 years of age or older
- Are overweight
- Have a family history of type 2 diabetes
- Are physically active fewer than three times per week
- Ever had diabetes while pregnant (gestational diabetes) or gave birth to a baby that weighed more than nine pounds
If you think you may be at risk, a health care provider can do a blood test to see if you have diabetes or prediabetes.
Prevent Diabetes
If you have prediabetes, now is the time for prevention. Mid Coast Hospital’s Diabetes Prevention Program can help you take charge of your health to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. As part of the program, you will work with other participants and a trained lifestyle coach to learn the skills you need to make lasting changes. These changes include losing a modest amount of weight, being more physically active, and managing stress.
The program meets for a year — weekly for the first six months, then once or twice a month for the second six months to maintain healthy lifestyle changes. During each session, your lifestyle coach will teach a lesson and lead a group discussion.
Mid Coast Hospital’s Diabetes Prevention Program is part of the National Diabetes Prevention Program, led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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