Prediabetes can quickly progress to type 2 diabetes if left untreated. Let’s delve into this topic in detail!
General Overview
What is Prediabetes?
Learn about the symptoms and risk factors of prediabetes, including increased thirst, frequent urination, and family history.
Prediabetes is a condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. Without intervention and treatment, prediabetes can develop into type 2 diabetes within 10 years or even sooner. Additionally, prediabetes can still harm the heart, kidneys, and circulatory system for a long time before diabetes develops.
Symptoms
What are the signs and symptoms of Prediabetes?
In most cases, prediabetes does not present any symptoms. A common sign is changes in skin color. The skin of affected individuals tends to become darker (a condition called acanthosis nigricans), especially around the neck, armpits, elbows, knees, and knuckles. Classic signs and symptoms indicating that you have progressed from prediabetes to type 2 diabetes include:
- Increased thirst
- Frequent urination
- Increased hunger
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Numbness or tingling in the feet or hands
- Frequent infections
- Slow-healing sores
- Unintentional weight loss
You may experience other symptoms and signs not mentioned here. If you have any concerns about the symptoms, please consult a doctor.
When Should You See a Doctor?
If you are concerned about diabetes or notice any signs or symptoms of type 2 diabetes, consult a doctor to get your blood sugar tested if you have any risk factors for diabetes. These risk factors may include:
- You are overweight, with a BMI over 25.
- You have a sedentary lifestyle with little activity.
- You are 45 years of age or older.
- You have a family history of type 2 diabetes.
- You are of African American, Hispanic, Native American, Asian American, or Pacific Islander descent.
- You had gestational diabetes during pregnancy or gave birth to a baby weighing more than 4.1 kg.
- You have polycystic ovary syndrome, which may include symptoms like irregular periods, excessive hair growth, and obesity.
- You have high blood pressure.
- Your blood lipid tests show abnormal results: HDL cholesterol below 35 mg/dl or triglycerides above 250 mg/dl.
Causes
What Causes Prediabetes?
Discover the causes of prediabetes, such as insulin resistance and genetics, along with lifestyle factors that contribute to higher blood sugar levels.
The exact causes of prediabetes are not yet clearly defined. However, family history and genetics seem to play an important role. The cause of prediabetes is related to the body not producing enough insulin after eating or not using insulin properly. It is clear that individuals with prediabetes do not process glucose correctly. Most of the glucose in your body comes from the food you eat. When food is digested, sugar enters the bloodstream. Insulin allows sugar to enter cells and lowers blood sugar levels. Insulin is produced by a gland located behind the stomach called the pancreas. The pancreas releases insulin into the bloodstream when you eat. As blood sugar levels begin to decrease, the pancreas slows down the release of insulin.
In the case of prediabetes, this process does not function properly. As a result, instead of providing energy to your cells, sugar accumulates in your bloodstream. This may occur because:
- The pancreas may not produce enough insulin.
- The cells in the body become insulin-resistant and do not allow much sugar to enter.
What Factors Increase the Risk of Prediabetes?
Several factors can increase the risk of prediabetes, such as:
- Weight: Being overweight is a primary risk factor for prediabetes. Those with a BMI over 35 are particularly at risk.
- Waist Size: A larger waist circumference is associated with insulin resistance.
- Poor Diet: High consumption of red meats and processed meats, as well as sugary drinks, is linked to a higher risk of diabetes.
- Lack of Physical Activity: The less active you are, the higher your risk for prediabetes.
- Age: Although prediabetes can develop at any age, the risk increases as you get older, especially after age 45.
- Family History: The risk of diabetes is higher if your parents or siblings have type 2 diabetes.
- Gestational Diabetes: If you had gestational diabetes (a form of prediabetes that occurs during pregnancy), your risk of developing diabetes later increases. Having a baby weighing more than 4 kg also raises your risk.
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): This condition in women, characterized by irregular periods, excessive hair growth, and obesity, increases the risk of diabetes.
- Sleep Apnea: Those with obstructive sleep apnea, a condition that disrupts sleep, are at higher risk of insulin resistance. Overweight or obese individuals have a higher risk of developing sleep apnea.
- Smoking: Smoking can increase insulin resistance and may raise the risk of type 2 diabetes in those with prediabetes. It also increases the risk of complications related to diabetes.
Other conditions associated with an increased risk of prediabetes include:
- High blood pressure
- Low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, the “good” cholesterol
- High triglyceride levels, a type of fat in the blood
- Metabolic syndrome, which is a combination of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and a large waist circumference.
Complications
Is Prediabetes Dangerous?
Prediabetes can lead to long-term damage, including to the heart, blood vessels, and kidneys. It is also associated with undetected silent heart attacks. Prediabetes can progress to type 2 diabetes, which may lead to:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Kidney disease
- Nerve damage
- Fatty liver disease
- Eye damage, including vision loss
- Amputation
Diagnosis and Treatment
The information provided cannot replace the advice of healthcare professionals. Always consult a doctor.
What Medical Techniques Are Used to Diagnose Prediabetes?
Doctors will perform three tests to diagnose prediabetes:
- A1C Test (also known as HbA1C): This test measures the average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months. An A1C level between 5.7% and 6.4% is considered prediabetes.
- Fasting Blood Sugar Test: The doctor will take a blood sample after you have fasted overnight. A blood sugar level of 100-125 mg/dL (5.6-6.9 mmol/L) is regarded as prediabetes.
- Oral Glucose Tolerance Test: This test requires you to fast overnight. Before measuring, you will drink a sugary solution and wait for the sugar to enter your bloodstream. The doctor will then take a blood sample to measure the sugar level. A blood sugar level of 140-199 mg/dL (7.8-11 mmol/L) is considered prediabetes.
For all tests, the higher the sugar level, the greater the risk of developing diabetes. If you have prediabetes, your healthcare provider will typically check your blood sugar at least once a year.
What Methods Are Used to Treat Prediabetes?
Is Prediabetes Reversible? Adopting a healthy lifestyle can help return blood sugar levels to normal or at least prevent them from rising to levels seen in type 2 diabetes. To prevent prediabetes from progressing to type 2 diabetes, try to:
Explore methods to manage and prevent prediabetes, including diet, exercise, weight loss, and quitting smoking.
- Eat Healthy Foods: A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, and olive oil is associated with a reduced risk of diabetes. Choose foods that are low in fat and calories but high in fiber. Eating a variety of foods can help you achieve your goals without sacrificing taste or nutrition.
- Be More Active: Physical activity helps you control weight, use up glucose for energy, and improve how your body uses insulin. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes each week, or a combination of moderate and vigorous exercise.
- Lose Weight: If you are overweight, losing just 5% to 7% of your body weight—about 6.4 kg if you weigh 91 kg—can significantly reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Focus on long-term changes to your eating and exercise habits to maintain a healthy weight.
- Quit Smoking: Stopping smoking can improve how insulin works and lower your blood sugar levels.
- Medications When Necessary: If you are at high risk for diabetes, your healthcare provider may recommend metformin (Glumetza). Medications to control high cholesterol and blood pressure may also be prescribed.
Prevention
What Measures Can Help Prevent Prediabetes?
Choosing a healthy lifestyle can help you prevent prediabetes and its progression to type 2 diabetes, even if diabetes runs in your family. Preventive measures include:
- Eating healthy foods
- Increasing physical activity
- Losing weight safely if overweight
- Controlling blood pressure and cholesterol levels
- Quitting smoking
Currently, individuals with prediabetes often use herbal remedies to manage blood sugar levels. Common herbs include cinnamon, ginseng, glucomannan, guar gum, gymnema, and soy. While some substances show promise in early trials, there is currently no clear evidence that any herbal remedy is effective.
