Prediabetes means you have a higher than normal blood sugar level but not quite high enough to be considered type 2 diabetes. If left unchanged though, prediabetes can and most often does lead to diabetes. However, you can reverse course with the progression from prediabetes to diabetes by making lifestyle changes now, the same lifestyle changes needed to prevent type 2 diabetes—eating healthy foods, increasing physical activity, achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.

Prediabetes doesn’t have any warning signs so the best thing you can do is see your doctor regularly for routine blood tests, maintain a healthy weight, take part in physical activity, quit smoking, keep a close eye on your blood pressure and cholesterol level and get quality sleep.