Prediabetes –why should we be concerned?

 

Our normal fasting blood sugar level should be <100 mg/dl.

Prediabetes means we have a higher blood sugar level than this.  Yet, it’s not high enough to be considered type 2 diabetes.    

 Prediabetes is considered to be an at-risk state, with high chances of developing diabetes. The World Health Organization (WHO) has defined prediabetes as a state of intermediate hyperglycemia using two specific parameters, impaired fasting glucose (IFG) defined as fasting plasma glucose (FPG) of 110 to 125 mg/dL, and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) defined as 2 h plasma glucose of 140-200 mg/dL after ingestion of 75 g of oral glucose load or a combination of the two based on a 2 h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).

While there is always the presence of prediabetes before the onset of diabetes, it’s not necessary that every prediabetic will progress to be a Type 2 diabetic.  Lifestyle interventions with regard to diabetes prevention can efficaciously reduce the relative risk by about 40%-70% in adults with prediabetes as reported in various research studies. Lifestyle changes that include, eating healthy foods, making physical activities a part of daily routine, and maintaining a healthy weight can contribute to bringing back one’s blood sugar level to normal.

Symptoms:

Prediabetes is commonly an asymptomatic condition. One in three adults has prediabetes, and 90% of them never know, because there aren’t always symptoms. If you have inherited a diabetic lineage and worry that your lifestyle has become inclined towards being diabetic, you ought to have your blood sugar tested from time to time. A simple blood sugar test can show whether you are prediabetic. Remember, it is serious, and common but reversible.

      

Diabetes test	Normal	Prediabetes	Diabetes
Glycated Hemoglobin A1c, %	< 5.7	5.7–6.4	≥ 6.5
Fasting blood glucose, mg/dL	< 100	100–125	> 125
Oral glucose tolerance, mg/dL	< 140	140–199	> 199

 

Consult your doctor if you’re worried about your diabetes.

One possible sign of prediabetes has been cited as darkened skin on certain parts of the body. Affected parts can include the neck, armpits, elbows, knees, and knuckles. However, there are so many other reasons for these becoming darker.

If you experience, increased urinary frequency (polyuria), thirst (polydipsia), hunger (polyphagia), and unexplained weight loss. may also experience numbness in extremities, pain in feet (disesthesias), and blurred vision., you might have moved on to type 2 diabetes.

Causes

·       Family history and genetics.

·       Lack of physical activity.

·       Overweight.

·       Higher waist measure: men with 40+ inch waist/ women with 35+inch waist.

·       Unhealthy or too much processed foods in the diet.

·       Sleep irregularities.

·       PCOS, High blood pressure, high cholesterol levels. 

Management of Prediabetes

In the case of prediabetes, though one has some insulin resistance, the body is still producing and responding to insulin.  It means one can put together a proper management practice,  adopt a plan that follows pre-diabetic diet recommendations, and expect better health. Healthy lifestyle choices can help prevent prediabetes and its progression to type 2 diabetes. 

·          Eat healthy foods.

·       Know your list of food choices - low GI and low GL foods.

·       Get at least 30 minutes of exercise daily.

·       Control your blood pressure and cholesterol.

·       Lose and maintain weight.

·       Give up smoking.

·       Adopt an active lifestyle

Uncontrolled prediabetes can lead to Type 2 diabetes within 10 years.