Page 10 Savvy Senior by Jim Miller The Silent Warning: Understanding Prediabetes Dear Savvy Senior, My 60-year-old brother was recently diagnosed with prediabetes, which surprised all of us because he’s fairly active and isn’t overweight. Now I’m wondering if I could be at risk too. Does prediabetes run in families, and what exactly does it mean? --Younger Sister Dear Younger, Yes, you could be at risk. Having a close family member with diabetes increases your chances of developing it yourself, though family history is just one factor. Age, weight, lifestyle, blood pressure, cholesterol, and certain ethnic backgrounds also affect risk. Here’s a clearer look at prediabetes and what you should know. What Is Prediabetes? Prediabetes occurs when blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. It is far more common than most people realize. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about 115 million American adults have prediabetes, and the majority don’t know it. Without intervention, many will develop type 2 diabetes within 10 years. Even before diabetes develops, elevated blood sugar can quietly damage blood vessels and raise the risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, nerve damage, and vision problems. Once diabetes develops, daily blood sugar monitoring, medications or insulin, and lifestyle adjustments may become necessary, which can affect overall quality of life. The good news is that prediabetes does not make diabetes inevitable. In many cases, it can be reversed. Modest weight loss, regular physical activity, and healthier eating habits can significantly reduce – or sometimes eliminate – the risk of progression. In some situations, medications may also be prescribed to help control blood sugar. Who Should Get Tested? Prediabetes usually causes no noticeable symptoms, so testing is the only reliable way to know if you have it. Adults age 45 and older should be screened, particularly if overweight. Younger adults should also consider testing if they are overweight and have other risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, a sedentary lifestyle, or a family history of diabetes. Certain ethnic groups – including Latino, Black, Asian, and Native American adults – have higher risk and may benefit from earlier screening. To quickly assess your risk, take the free online screening test at DoIHavePrediabetes.org. How It’s Diagnosed If you are at risk, your doctor can order one of three blood tests. The fasting plasma glucose test requires an eight-hour fast. The oral glucose tolerance test measures how your body processes sugar. The hemoglobin A1C test reflects your average blood sugar over two to three months and can be done at any time, regardless of when you last ate. Most Medicare and private insurance plans generally cover diabetes screening tests at little or no cost if you meet risk criteria such as being overweight, having high blood pressure, or having a family history of diabetes. Home glucose meters are not intended to diagnose prediabetes. Take Action If you are diagnosed with prediabetes, don’t panic. Many people restore healthy blood sugar with lifestyle changes alone. Losing 5 to 7 percent of your body weight, getting at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week, and reducing refined carbohydrates can make a meaningful difference. For additional support, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sponsors the National Diabetes Prevention Program, which offers structured lifestyle-change classes in person and online across the U.S. (cdc.gov/diabetes-prevention). Local hospitals, clinics, and community centers may also offer similar programs. The most important step is awareness. A simple screening test can provide peace of mind or give you the opportunity to take action now and prevent diabetes in the future. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 22, 2026 RALLY | FROM PAGE 8 said Senator Ed Markey. “It is where I learned the dignity of a hard day’s work, the power of community, and the responsibility to fight for the people who raised you. There is no greater honor in my life than representing my hometown in the Senate, and to have Malden’s city and state elected leaders to be in my corner. It means everything, and I will always fight for Malden because Malden gave me everything.” Mystic Valley Regional Charter School (MVRCS) Request for Response for School Bus Transportation RFR #27-100 RFR Release Date: Monday, May 18, 2026 Mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting Wednesday, May 27, 2026 Question Due: Response Deadline: Monday, June 1, 2026 Monday, June 15, 2026 10:00 A.M. 11:30 A.M. 4:00 P.M. 2:00 P.M. Description: Mystic Valley Regional Charter School is issuing a Request for Response (RFR #27-100) for School Bus Transportation Services. Responses must be submitted to the Office of Finance and Business Operations at Mystic Valley Regional Charter School, 4 Laurel Street, Malden, MA 02148, Attn: Julie-Anne Aloise. For additional information regarding the RFR, please contact Julie-Anne Aloise at 781-388-0222 ext. 2016 or by email at jaloise@mvrcs.org. May 22, 29, 2026 - LEGAL NOTICE - NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING MALDEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS FISCAL YEAR 2027 PROPOSED BUDGET Notice is hereby given in accordance with Chapter 71, Sections 38N of the Massachusetts General Laws that the Malden School Committee will hold a public hearing for the purpose of receiving comments on the Fiscal Year 2027 Proposed Budget on Thursday May 28, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. at the Herbert L. Jackson Council Chamber Room 106, 215 Pleasant Street, Malden and members of the public are welcome to attend in-person. Members of the public who wish to attend remotely can do so using the link below: Microsoft Teams - School Committee Budget Public Hearing https://tinyurl.com/4d657t36 The Fiscal Year 2027 Proposed Budget will be available on the Malden Public Schools website at www.maldenps.org. For more information, please contact the Malden Public School’s district office at 781-397-6100. May 15, 22, 2026
11 Publizr Home