Prediabetes

Prediabetes is a warning sign that the person requires immediate lifestyle modifications and has to be more careful regarding their health.

Prediabetes

Prediabetes is a condition where the blood sugar is elevated higher than normal, but it’s not high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. The main difference between prediabetes and diabetes is that prediabetes can be reversed.

Prediabetes is an extremely common condition, and almost 80% of people don’t know that they have it because it doesn’t cause symptoms in most of the cases.

Causes and risk factors of prediabetes

The main cause of prediabetes is insulin resistance, and when the body doesn’t have enough insulin or doesn’t use it as it should, this leads to elevated blood sugar.

The risk of prediabetes increases due to the following factors:

• Overweight and obesity.
• Waist size, which may indicate insulin resistance.
• Family history and genetics.
• Not being active physically.
• Following a diet high in processed meat and sugars.
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
• Pregnancy diabetes.
• Obstructive sleep apnea.
• The age is older than 35 years old.
• Certain races and ethnicities, including Hispanic, Black, Asian American, and Indian American.
• Having certain conditions, including high blood pressure, elevated levels of triglycerides, and decreased levels of HDL cholesterol.

Symptoms of prediabetes

• Prediabetes is asymptomatic in most of the cases, and this is why it’s critical to do regular checkups.
• In some cases, prediabetes may cause darkened parts of skin on the sides of the neck, back, armpits, or groin, and skin growths that aren’t cancerous.
• Prediabetes can lead to serious complications even without turning into diabetes, including damage to the heart, blood vessels, kidneys, and nerves.

Diagnosis of prediabetes

• Blood tests.

Treatment of prediabetes

Treating prediabetes depends on modifying the lifestyle, and this includes:

• Increasing physical activity.
• Losing weight.
• Following a healthy diet.
• Quitting smoking.
• Some patients may require certain medications.