Prediabetes is a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. Having prediabetes increases an individual's risk for developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. 

To find out if you are at risk for prediabetes, take the risk tests here! 

If you are at risk for type 2 diabetes, or prediabetic, talk to your primary care provider about preventive care. A great way to prevent type 2 diabetes is to adopt healthy eating habits and increase physical activity. For tips, please visit our Healthy Eating and On The Go webpages.

Type 1 Diabetes 

Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disease. It causes your pancreas to not produce enough insulin to use the sugar you eat. Insulin is a hormone that moves sugar (glucose) into cells to provide energy.  

There is no cure for type 1 diabetes. This condition is managed by daily insulin delivery by injection. Type 1 diabetes makes up 5-10% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is most commonly diagnosed in young children, but can also be diagnosed in adults. 

Symptoms include: increased thirst and urination, constant hunger, weight loss, blurred vision and extreme fatigue. These symptoms usually develop over a short period of time.

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes can affect people at any age, and more often in people who are overweight and inactive. In type 2 diabetes, the body becomes insulin resistant, which is a condition that occurs when fat, muscle, and liver cells cannot use insulin to move glucose into the body's cells for energy. The pancreas is responsible for making insulin, but over time insulin production decreases and blood sugar levels increase.

Type 2 diabetes is preventable, but not curable. Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include: obesity, family history, race, age, and physical inactivity. Symptoms include: fatigue, frequent urination, increased thirst and hunger, weight loss, blurred vision, and slow healing of wounds or sores. These symptoms develop gradually. Some people with type 2 diabetes may have no symptoms.

AMA's Steps Forward Preventing Type 2 Diabetes Module - One free CME available!
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National Diabetes Prevention Programs (National DPP) are evidence-based and effective. National DPP last for a year and consist of a core phase (16 weekly classes) followed by six monthly maintenance sessions. Participants need to obtain 150 minutes of physical activity per week and lose approximately 5-7% of their body weight to obtain maximum benefit from the program. The CDC estimates that successfully completing a National DPP can cut one's risk of developing diabetes in half. The CDC has many resources available; check out their prediabetes website. The CDC National DPP curriculum can be found here.  Please also see the resource tab on the right hand column of this webpage for additional resources! 

To find a National Diabetes Prevention Program near you, click here. If you are interested in becoming a CDC recognized National DPP, contact wellahead@la.gov.

The Louisiana Obesity and Diabetes Collaborative is a group of dedicated individuals working to improve health outcomes related to obesity and diabetes through advocacy work, including increasing health literacy, connecting patients to programs and services, and increasing awareness of prediabetes and diabetes. The Collaborative works to make a meaningful impact through a coordinated effort of obesity and diabetes prevention, management and policy change. Click here to learn more.

The Louisiana Diabetes Educators Network (LaDEN) is comprised of Diabetes Educators and various health care professionals across the state of Louisiana. Well-Ahead Louisiana provides professional support and development to LaDEN by hosting webinar opportunities, online meetings, and in-person trainings. Continuing Education Units (CEU) are provided for dietitians and nurses upon participation.

Are you interested in joining LaDEN? LaDEN offers technical assistance, training and networking opportunities for Diabetes Educators. Please contact wellahead@la.gov for more information or to request the slide decks for any of the above presentations. 

The Louisiana Diabetes Educators Network Prevents Type 2 Diabetes (LaDEN Prevents!) is comprised of National DPP coordinators and lifestyle coaches.  Well-Ahead Louisiana provides professional support and development to National DPP coordinators and lifestyle coaches through LaDEN Prevents! through calls and webinars.  Well-ahead Louisiana provides individual technical assistance to current National Diabetes Prevention Programs (NDPP).  Examples of call topics are: marketing your NDPP organization, engaging NDPP participants, and building relationships to obtain referrals. 

Are you interested in joining LaDEN Prevents! or do you need individual technical assistance? Please contact  wellahead@la.gov for more information.