Prediabetes-Why should we be concerned?

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What is Pre-Diabetes?

Our normal fasting blood sugar level should be <100 mg/dl.Prediabetes means we have a higher blood sugar level than this. Yet, it is not high enough to be considered type 2 diabetes.Prediabetes is considered an at-risk state, with high chances of developing diabetes.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has defined prediabetes as a state of intermediate hyperglycaemia 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 presence of prediabetes before the onset of diabetes, it’s not necessary that every prediabetic will progress to be a Type 2 diabetic.

Symptoms of Prediabetes

Prediabetes is commonly an asymptomatic condition. One in three adults has prediabetes, and 90% of them never know, because there are not 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, common but reversible.

Consult your doctor if you are 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 neck, armpits, elbows, knees, and knuckles. However, there are so many other reasons too of these becoming dark.

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

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 diet.
• Sleep irregularities.
• PCOS, High blood pressure, high cholesterol levels.

Management & Prevention

Prediabetes is reversible!

In 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.

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