Prediabetes refers to blood sugar levels that are higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. Almost 6 million Canadians have prediabetes.
If left unmanaged, prediabetes can develop into type 2 diabetes—but it doesn't have to be this way. If you have prediabetes, taking steps to manage your blood sugar can change your future to one free of type 2 diabetes.
Understanding type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a disease in which your body cannot make enough insulin, or your body does not properly use the insulin it makes. Insulin is a hormone that helps your body to control the level of sugar in your blood.
If your body can't use its insulin properly, glucose (sugar) builds up in your blood instead of being used for energy. This excess sugar in your blood causes problems and can lead to serious health complications.
It's important take a prediabetes diagnosis seriously because some long-term complications associated with diabetes—such as heart disease—may begin during prediabetes.