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Stethascope and needle with insulin illustrating prediabetes

Prediabetes: A touch of sugar?

May 31, 2023 - McMaster University - 2-minutes

Once called 'a touch of sugar', Diana Sherifali, PhD, describes prediabetes and its symptoms in this 2-minute video.

What's the bottom line?

Prediabetes refers to blood sugar levels that are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes.
The symptoms can often be vague, so it is usually confirmed by lab tests.

Learn more about prediabetes, what strategies you can take if you are diagnosed with it, and how diabetes educators can help by watching the full-length video.

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Featured Resources

Video Post: Diabetes: Types, tests and what to do if you are at risk
Video Post: Type 2 diabetes: Can it be reversed?
Web Resource: Diabetes Canada
Web Resource: Find a Certified Diabetes Educator

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Author Details

Anthony Levinson

Dr. Anthony J. Levinson is a Professor at McMaster University and holds the John R. Evans Chair in Health Sciences Educational Research and Instructional Development. One of the co-leaders of the McMaster Optimal Aging Portal, Dr. Levinson is also a psychiatrist with a special interest in medical psychiatry and neuropsychiatry. His area of research interest includes online learning to improve healthcare provider and patient education.

Author Details

Diana Sherifali

Dr. Sherifali is an Associate Professor at McMaster University in the School of Nursing. Her research program aims to optimize the management of diabetes and quality of life for older adults and people with diabetes across their lifespan.

References

McMaster Optimal Aging Portal. Diabetes care and prevention strategies. (2019 Nov 19). Accessed April 25, 2022. Available from: https://www.mcmasteroptimalaging.org/blog/detail/hitting-the-headlines/2019/11/19/diabetes-care-and-prevention-strategies
McMaster Optimal Aging Portal. 3 strategies to add to your diabetes self-management toolkit. (2020 Nov 24). Accessed April 25, 2022. Available from: https://www.mcmasteroptimalaging.org/blog/detail/hitting-the-headlines/2020/11/24/3-strategies-to-add-to-your-diabetes-self-management-toolkit
McMaster Optimal Aging Portal. 3 strategies for managing type 2 diabetes. (2021 Nov 10). Accessed April 25, 2022. Available from: https://www.mcmasteroptimalaging.org/blog/detail/hitting-the-headlines/2021/11/10/3-strategies-for-managing-type-2-diabetes
National Institute on Aging. Diabetes in Older People. (2019 May 1). Accessed April 25, 2022. Available from: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/diabetes-older-people
Hosseini Z, Whiting SJ, Vatanparast H. Type 2 diabetes prevalence among Canadian adults - dietary habits and sociodemographic risk factors. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2019 Oct;44(10):1099-1104.
Sherifali D, Bai J, Kenny M, et al. Diabetes self-management programs in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Diabet Med. 2015; 32(11):1404-1414.
Sharma S, Kerry C, Atkins H, et al. The Ipswich Touch Test: A simple and novel method to screen patients with diabetes at home for increased risk of foot ulceration. Diabet Med. 2014; 31:1100-3.
Punthakee Z, Goldenberg R, Katz P. Diabetes Canada 2018 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Diabetes in Canada: Definition, Classification and Diagnosis of Diabetes, Prediabetes and Metabolic Syndrome. Can J Diabetes. 2018;42(Suppl 1): S10-S15.
Ekoe JM, Goldenberg R, Katz P. Diabetes Canada 2018 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Diabetes in Canada: Screening for Diabetes in Adults. Can J Diabetes. 2018;42(Suppl 1): S16-S19.
Prebtani APH, Bajaj HS, Goldenberg R, Mullan Y. Diabetes Canada 2018 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Diabetes in Canada: Reducing the Risk of Developing Diabetes. Can J Diabetes. 2018;42(Suppl 1): S20-S26.

Acknowledgements

This work was supported through the McMaster Institute for Research on Aging and funds provided by the Dean and Vice-President, Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University.

DISCLAIMER: These summaries are provided for informational purposes only. They are not a substitute for advice from your own health care professional. The summaries may be reproduced for not-for-profit educational purposes only. Any other uses must be approved by the McMaster Optimal Aging Portal (info@mcmasteroptimalaging.org).

Many of our Blog Posts were written before the COVID-19 pandemic and thus do not necessarily reflect the latest public health recommendations. While the content of new and old blogs identify activities that support optimal aging, it is important to defer to the most current public health recommendations. Some of the activities suggested within these blogs may need to be modified or avoided altogether to comply with changing public health recommendations. To view the latest updates from the Public Health Agency of Canada, please visit their website.

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