Capital Region Man Navigates Pre-Diabetes Journey

November is Diabetes Awareness Month. In recognition of this, Dr. James Figge of St. Peter’s Diabetes & Endocrine Care, along with Barbara Kipness of St. Peter’s Health Partners’ Diabetes Prevention Program, spoke to Spectrum News about risk factors for diabetes and ways to prevent it.

From the story:

The coordinator of the diabetes program at St. Peter’s, Barbara Kipness, says by taking action on certain lifestyle choices, this disease is preventable.

“You can do that through better nutrition, getting more physically active, and learning how to manage stress,” shared Barbara Kipness.

Endocrinologist Dr. James Figge has been observing a concerning trend regarding pre-diabetes.

“We’re actually seeing more and more prediabetes in younger people, even in teenagers and adolescence. We’re seeing an increase rate of prediabetes and diabetes in those individuals. And then when they become 18 and are seen in an adult clinic, we’re seeing more and more young adults with a very advanced diabetes,” said Figge.

“You actually go to your health care clinician,” Figge continued. “You can get a fasting blood sugar level checked. And if that’s running between 101 and 125, then you have prediabetes. A normal blood sugar fasting in the morning before breakfast is under 100. If the blood sugar’s actually higher than that, 126 or higher, then you actually have diabetes.”

Click here to watch Spectrum’s full report.