Preventing and Reversing Prediabetes | Shirisha Avadhanula, MD

People who have prediabetes face up to a 50% chance of developing Type 2 diabetes in the next five to 10 years. But there are steps that you can take to prevent that from happening. Endocrinologist Shirisha Avadhanula, MD, explains what prediabetes means for your health and how you can reverse it.

Subscribe today for the latest health news and information from our experts!

▶Subscribe to learn more about Cleveland Clinic:

Subscribe to our podcast 🎧

#ClevelandClinic #HealthEssentials #Prediabetes

[kenpca]

I was diagnosed as 1point away from being prediabetic....it took 3 years to slowly loose a little weight...but was still obese till I went plant based....then lost another 40lbs ...lowered my A1C and reduced my LDL cholesterol by 30%. Been keeping the weight off since. All my weight loss methods before never stuck...I just added the weight back on....not anymore...this is my lifestyle now....no longer obese...need to change my profile Pic lol... and I feel tons better...I'm older and need a little more sleep than decades ago....but...I no longer need naps or whole days sleeping to recover from a busy work week...my recovery time is much less. I didn't test my blood in those 3 years...but Based on how I felt I think my blood sugar may have been off at times now that I know more about it all. I used to get very sleepy after a meal but no more...I'm wide awake and have more energy than before. So I'm gonna keep this lifestyle up! No wonder Jack lalanne could keep it up all those years even doing finger tip push ups at age 95!! Lol.

I also added exercise....5 minutes at first...it was hard being obese and using my exercise bike...my big belly was in the way lol....i couldnt jog or walk much because i couldnt stand more than 5 minutes without my back took awhile...so I just took it easy...lost more weight then I got better at exercise...now 45 min is no big...heart rate about 110-130 just moderate exercise...but it keeps the blood flowing and a good little sweat lol.

Now lifting weights again...only 5lbs to start lol but building up.

Who says being a senior has to be weak and frail? Shoot there is a 100 year old Vegan out there doing marathons!! I'm gonna keep my eyes on Jesus my heroes are Jack and that 100 year old Vegan! LOL

God Bless and may everyone prosper and be in health as your soul prospers! (3 John 2)

[Nancymarie-du]

Thanks for making this video. So informative.

[TheBikerDude]

This video is excellent for someone in pre-diabetes situation and the mechanisms to address to reverse it.

[TirraOmilade]

On it! Just got word that I am in the pre-diabetic range and am overweight. Getting back to moving on a regular basis. Will check back and let you know when I get there.

[monical]

what an amazing video, I wish doctors were more informative when giving patients the results of pre-diabetes, I've been so stressed about it, not knowing what I should be eating or what to do to reverse it . I feel so much better after watching this. thanks again

[vini_renee]

This was very helpful. I recently was diagnosed with pre diabetes and my doctor didn’t even call me. She just left a message in the portal essentially telling me to eat healthy and lose weight. But I’m predisposed and worried that it won’t be enough. This was really reassuring that I can reverse my pre diabetes. I’ve actually already lost 6lbs since learning I was diagnosed (a little over a month) and so hearing that losing as little as 5% of your body weight can have a huge impact. Thank you for all of this great information!

[MB-vuow]

One of the most informative videos I have seen on prediabetes.

[mgmovassaghi]

Excellent question and very very helpful information thank you

[PriscyG]

This was super informative!!! Thank you for giving me the tips and education to better my lifestyle and prevent diabetes!

[ldybg]

Appreciate the informative presentation- learned more specifics in 30 minutes than from multiple years asking provider. In my area it appears not a lot of endocrinologist so I had to scheduled appointment with endocrinologist that is booked out to Nov and it is May.

[blessings]

Thank you for this amazing and educational video, as a nurse I wish all patients had access to this video. Great questions and answers!

[gmac]

So true! Do not underestimate the relationship of poor sleep hygiene and cravings. If there are any barriers to keeping good sleep hygiene, such as illness, sleep apnea, stress, pain or bad habits (like staying up too late when there's an early start to a work day or looking at screens too late ie your phone), caffeine, alcohol, drugs, depression, or any cause for insomnia, your brain will try to compensate the lack of sleep for calories (energy). It makes it very difficult to cut sugary or starchy foods AND it makes it so that you're tired so it's also harder to work out. So many people who sleep little beat themselves up for not having the "self control" to stay away from potato chips or sweet food snacking. Find out what's keeping you up at night and address that. Getting proper sleep makes it so much easier to stop the unhealthy food cravings and to also begin being more active.

[analorenasanchez]

I’m rather skinny but was diagnosed with Prediabetes. I had gestational diabetes a couple of months ago, with my first pregnancy

[mariannacarbajal]

Thank you so much Dr. you aré giving me hope ❤

[Nora]

You can be prediabetic with a fasting BG in the 90s. I was, and I attributed my symptoms to old age. I was diagnosed at 65. In my case, I was not overweight (130LBS), and I thought I was eating a moderate diet and avoiding sugars and over-processed foods. My genes were winning the war, along with my insomnia and stress. DM runs heavily on my mother's side. She has avoided DM but has had prediabetes on/off most of her life. I am also a nurse, so I do research. I am now in the safe zone not prediabetic, but I follow less than 50g/day of carbs wholesome foods, increased my exercise activities, and do IF with two meals a day. I am struggling however to maintain a normal body weight; I lose it easily. For the first six months, I checked my Bg fasting, before and 2 to 3 hours after eating. How you are going to know which foods affect you the most. If I was a dr, I would recommend my patients check bg this way to develop a diet approach that works for them. But I do not have problems with anxiety and emotions when my health is at risk. Nothing else was wrong with me just the A1C. I wished I could get a CGM but they are too expensive, and you have to have DM dx to get one, the finger monitors are cheaper. Now that I have become a pro at managing my eating and routine, I no longer check my bg every day; maybe 5 times a month, just to keep things in check. I also stopped Metformin after three months my dr did not like it, but I did not feel I needed any meds. For me, It was a disappointment to discover my lifestyle did not work, but on the positive, I gain lots of extra knowledge on how to better take care of my health.

[johannadelbusto]

Thank you, excellent educational tool, well explained and conducted.

[Nmelys]

Most informative and useful video. Thank You.

[crystalclear]

If one has fatigue syndrome. Exercise like 10, 000 steps is impossible. What are we supposed to do. ?

[tierabaz]

Thanks a lot for the great video and for the advice, information and tips 😊👍👍👍👍👍

[Adeline]

Is there any way to tell HOW LONG youve had prediabetes?