A prediabetes diagnosis indicates that your blood sugar level is greater than usual. However, it’s not high enough to be considered a diabetes diagnosis. Long-term statistics show that lifestyle changes may reduce the chance of prediabetes developing into diabetes for up to 10 years. According to a previous study, 5 to 10 percent of patients with prediabetes develop diabetes each year.
Heart disease and stroke are two dangers to your health that might develop as a result of prediabetes.
Fortunately, prediabetes may be reversed. In addition to medicine, treatment may involve dietary, physical activity, and lifestyle changes.
Understanding the implications of a prediabetes diagnosis is the first step in controlling the condition. Your physician may use the following terms to describe prediabetes:
- IGT, or impaired glucose tolerance, refers to post-meal blood sugar levels that are greater than usual
- Higher-than-average blood sugar levels in the morning before eating are referred to as impaired fasting glucose (IFG)
- A hemoglobin A1C level between 5.7 and 6.4 percent
There are no obvious signs of prediabetes.
Acanthosis nigricans, a symptom of insulin resistance connected to polycystic ovarian syndrome, may occur in certain patients (PCOS). Not all PCOS patients have it, but when it occurs, dark, thick, and frequently velvety patches of skin appear. This discoloration typically affects the elbows, knees, neck, armpits, and knuckles.
If you have prediabetes, it’s crucial to see a doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- Heightened thirst
- Larger amounts of urine, especially at night
- Tiredness
- Hazy vision
- Wounds or sores that are not healing
These type 2 diabetes-specific symptoms might mean that your prediabetes has developed into type 2 diabetes. To confirm this, a doctor may prescribe a number of tests.
When you eat, the pancreas produces the hormone insulin, which causes blood sugar to enter your body’s cells and act as an energy source. In this way, your blood sugar level is lowered by insulin. Although they are at an earlier stage, the causes of prediabetes are comparable to those of diabetes. They are mostly made up of:
- Insulin resistance, which is a condition in which cells do not react to insulin as intended
- Increasing metabolic disruption as a result of growing insulin resistance and hyperglycemia.
Less than 70 mg/dL is considered to be a normal blood glucose level (Reliable Source). Your blood glucose levels will increase from 100 mg/dL to 125 mg/dL if you have prediabetes. Once your blood glucose level exceeds 125, you will be given a diabetes diagnosis.
According to research, lifestyle choices and genetics have a major role in the development of prediabetes. Some of the primary causes of prediabetes are listed below:
- Age: The risk of developing prediabetes is increased in people over 45.
- Body mass: A prediabetes screening may be recommended by your doctor if you have a body mass index (BMI) of above 25.
- Waist circumference: Your risk of developing prediabetes might rise if you have more fat around your waist than your hips. For males, a waist measurement of 40 inches or greater indicates a risk of diabetes. For females, a waist measurement of 35 inches or greater indicates risk of diabetes.
- Race and ethnicity: Research has shown that prediabetes is more prevalent in non-Caucasian communities
- Diet: Your risk of developing prediabetes in increased by regular intake of red and processed meat, as well as sugar-sweetened beverages and food products.
- Physical inactivity: People with primarily sedentary lifestyles are likelier to develop diabetes and there is clear evidence showing that exercise can reduce the risk of developing prediabetes
- Family history: Diabetes often runs in families and is hereditary. If you have a family member or relative with diabetes, you may also get diabetes.
- Smoking: Tobacco usage can often be correlated with an increase in waist circumference, which is another risk factor of prediabetes.
- Existing medical problems: Illnesses such as sleep apnea, polycystic ovary syndrome, elevated blood pressure, and high cholesterol or triglyceride levels can be linked to a higher insulin resistance, causing prediabetes.
Reducing your body weight by as little as 5% can reduce your risk of developing prediabetes. Additionally, quitting smoking, and reducing stress levels, can help significantly.
The most effective way to prevent diabetes is to make changes in your diet and lifestyle.
Here are some small changes you can make:
- Include more fiber in your diet by incorporating fruits, non-starchy vegetables, nuts, and seeds into your diet.
- Reduce your daily consumption of products containing sugar such as beverages, sweets, and soda.
- Exercise more often. Ideally, a person should have 30 minutes of physical activity daily, or 150 minutes weekly.
- Smoke less or stop smoking completely.
- If you frequently experience stress, manage it with stress reduction techniques such as yoga, meditation, and breathing exercises.
Prediabetes can progress into type 2 diabetes and other diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, and nerve damage if left untreated.
- renal injury
- eye injury
- Foot injury that might result in amputation due to inadequate blood flow
- kidney damage
- eye damage
- foot damage, in which poor blood flow may lead to amputation
- skin infections
- trouble with hearing
- Alzheimer’s disease
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On the brighter side, diabetes and its complications can be prevented. Read more about preventing diabetes and prediabetes
Disclaimer
BahrainHealthMatters.com is for informative purposes only and not a substitute for professional in person expertise.
We advise that anyone having concerns about their health issues should consult their doctor asap.