Prediabetes is typically the warning before the arrival of Type 2 diabetes. This means your blood sugar level has increased but yet more enough to be Type 2 diabetes. Prediabetes involves health risks but is reversible. It requires some lifestyle changes like regular physical activities and managing your diet.
The very first step in controlling prediabetes is by understanding its symptoms and methods of diagnosis. The treatment involves certain lifestyle changes like diets and exercises along with proper medication under health experts” supervision.
Prediabetes is a stage where your blood sugar level doesn’t meet the level of getting type 2 diabetes. So, by taking care of your health you can reduce the risk of getting type 2 diabetes.
The review of the 2014 long-term study suggests that making some changes in your daily routine and habits can decrease the risk of getting prediabetes. As per the data of the 2019 study, every year, approximately 5% to 15% of people develop the stage of type 2 diabetes from being affected by prediabetes.
Prediabetes can also lead to other health conditions, including heart disease and stroke. However, prediabetes can be reversed. Go through the blog to learn more about prediabetes.
Major Symptoms of Prediabetes
Prediabetes has no clear symptoms. Some people may experience a condition called acanthosis nigricans, which is a sign of insulin resistance. It involvesTrusted Source the development of dark, thick, and often velvety patches of skin. It can be associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Prediabetes doesn’t have any specific symptoms. However, you may develop a condition called acanthosis nigricans which symbolises insulin resistance. You may get dark and thick skin. Sometimes the skin may develop velvety patches of skin.
The discoloration of the body generally occurs around the following body parts including –
- Elbows
- Neck region
- Knees
- Knuckles
- Armpits
If you have any kind of diagnosis of prediabetes. Then it’s very important to consult the doctor regularly. Increase in the amount of urination, mostly during the nighttime
Symptoms of Prediabetes in Women
Women have some specific symptoms that indicate the Prediabetes risk.
- Frequent tiredness
- Blurry vision
- Increased thirst
- In case your wounds or minor cuts don’t heal.
Having PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) can also increase the risk of getting prediabetes. Women suffering from PCOS should be more careful about Prediabetes.
Never ignore these symptoms. They indicate that your body has developed the stage of type 2 diabetes. You are no longer suffering from prediabetes but progressed to prediabetes.
What are the possible causes of Prediabetes?
The major causes of Prediabetes are similar to those of diabetes at an early stage.
- Insulin resistance occurs when the body cells don’t respond to the trusted sources properly. Rapid insulin resistance leads to developing the condition of Prediabetes.
- An increase in metabolic disturbance due to high blood sugar ( hyperglycemia) and insulin resistance is another major reason for prediabetes.
The rise in blood sugar level to 125 mg/dL is the stage of Prediabetes. Rising above the level of 125 mg / dL leads to diabetes.
| Normal blood sugar level during fasting | 99mg/dL |
| Low blood sugar level (hypoglycemia) | 70mg/dL |
| Fasting blood sugar level during prediabetes | 125mg/dL |
| Fasting blood sugar level during diabetes | Above 125 mg/ dL |
What are the Warning Signs for Prediabetes?
Prediabetes can occur in anyone, but a few factors may trigger the chance of developing it. Most of the research suggests that Prediabetes mostly occurs due to genetics and lifestyle factors.
- Age is an important factor for developing prediabetes. People above the age of forty-five are mostly diagnosed with prediabetes.
- Body weight increase or having a body mass index of more than 25 leads to developing the condition. People with more fat deposits in the waist or hip regions are most likely to get prediabetes.
- Race and place of origin also affect the development of Prediabetes. People from African American, Asian American, Hispanic, Alaska Native, Pacific Islander, or Native American have a higher number of Prediabetes cases.
- The unavailability of proper resources and access to healthcare experts may increase the risk.
- Diet plays a major role in people getting prediabetes. Regular consumption of processed meat, alcohol, sweetened drinks, and other sugar-containing items leads to an increased risk of getting prediabetes.
- Not doing regular exercises and physical inactivity leads to increased risk.
- If you have any family members related by blood with type 2 diabetes, then the risk of developing prediabetes is higher.
- Tobacco use and smoking increase the risk of insulin resistance and lead to prediabetes.
- Health factors like sleep apnea, fatty liver, PCOS, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol levels may increase the risk of prediabetes and insulin resistance.
Can stress cause Prediabetes
Yes, stress can cause Prediabetes.
Managing stress is important as stress leads to the risk of diabetes and heart-related diseases.
Is Prediabetes Reversible? What are the Necessary Preventive Steps?
Yes, prediabetes is reversible by making some necessary changes in your lifestyle and diet. You need to work on these changes to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Focus on your diet
You need to consume nutritious foods. Include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins in your diet.
Avoid the intake of sugary drinks and junk foods. Stop eating foods containing high amounts of starch. Healthy food may help in improving liver health.
Reduce the consumption of alcohol, tobacco, or smoking. These are highly dangerous for your prediabetes health.
Exercise Regularly
At least practice aerobic activity with moderate intensity for 150 minutes per week. However, you must consult a doctor in case of uneasiness or extreme pain and swelling.
Develop the habit of morning and evening walks daily. It is highly beneficial for people suffering from prediabetes.
Weight loss
Try maintaining a decent daily body mass index. Losing even 5 to 7% of body mass can reduce the blood sugar level significantly.
Medications
In case you get prediabetes, you must visit a health expert regularly. You may take metformin to improve the insulin sensitivity. The metformin drug also lowers the level of blood sugar.
Go for Regular Checkup
Regular checkup helps in early detection. Detecting prediabetes in the early stage can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes as well as reversing the health condition.
Regular checkups will also help you to get proper prediabetes and type 2 diabetes prevention guidance from health experts.
Reversing prediabetes not only helps in reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes but also protects your body from many other health hazards.
How is Prediabetes Diagnosed?
The doctor needs a proper blood test to detect prediabetes. There are several methods for the diagnosis of Prediabetes.
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test
In this method, a doctor checks your sugar level two times. Initially, before consuming sugary drinks, after two hours of consuming sugary drinks. It is a sure-shot way to check about prediabetes. Even if you go to a doctor, the doctor would suggest you get the test done.
In case your blood sugar level ranges between 140 to 199 mg)dl then it indicates prediabetes.
Haemoglobin A1C test
This test doesn’t require fasting. It checks the records of the past three months. In your test record A1C value of 5.7% to 6.4%, the risk of getting prediabetes is higher.
Fasting Plasma Glucose Test
The doctor asks you to fast for 8 hours overnight and then deposit your blood samples in the labs.
If your blood sugar level ranges between 100 mg/dL and 125 mg / dL, it indicates prediabetes.