Prediabetes is a condition where one’s blood sugar level is higher than usual but still not up to the level of being diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. It is usually asymptomatic, and a person might be suffering from this without even realizing it. Thus, it is essential to know the warning signs of prediabetes so that early action can be taken to halt the clinical development of type 2 diabetes.
We are going to talk about What are the warning signs of prediabetes, risk factors, and how to take action before you become involved in something far worse.
What Is Prediabetes?
Prediabetes could be defined as the malfunctioning of your body’s insulin. A hormone produced in the pancreas controls the amount of sugar at any given point in time. With prediabetes, this function would call a condition such as resistance to insulin. The cells around your entire body would not quickly respond to the insulin, causing high sugar concentrations inside your bloodstream.
It should be noted that prediabetes doesn’t necessarily make symptoms apparent. This is why regular check-ups are required, especially if you are at an increased risk of acquiring the said condition. However, some warning signs still indicate the presence of prediabetes.
What are the warning signs of prediabetes?
Although prediabetes rarely presents with easily detectable symptoms, one can identify early signs of possibly acquiring it. Here’s a list of some of them:
1. Thirst and urination
In addition, hyperglycemia stimulates the kidneys to get rid of excess glucose from the body. This usually leads to frequent urination, which causes dehydration and drought thirst. So, if you have been thirsting more than usual or waking up at night to pee, that is a warning sign.
2. Fatigue
When your body fails to properly utilize insulin, it cannot transform glucose into energy. You may experience unusual fatigue, sluggishness, or even feeling fatigued for most parts of the day. This is because your body fails to effectively make energy out of glucose.
3. Blurred Vision
High blood sugar levels draw fluid from tissues, including the lenses of your eyes. This can blur your vision and cause you to be unable to focus clearly. Talk to a healthcare provider about whether your vision changes frequently or suddenly.
4. Slow Healing of Cuts and Wounds
High blood sugar works to weaken the body’s healing ability. It is caused by low blood circulation and a lesser capacity to combat infections. If cuts or scrapes take longer to heal than usual, it may be a sign that blood sugar is off balance.
5. Tingling or Numbness in the Hands or Feet (Neuropathy)
This damage from high blood sugar can occur to the nerves in your body over time, which may develop into peripheral neuropathy. Peripherally, if it develops in the hands, feet, or legs, early signs would be a tingling or numb sensation. If you start noticing such sensations, checking your blood sugar is necessary.
6. Increased Hunger
If you have insulin resistance, your body is not taking up glucose for fuel as efficiently. Your cells may feel hungry for energy and starve themselves, and you may feel hungrier, too. You may even continue feeling hungry or experience strong cravings for sugary or high-carb foods even after eating.
7. Dark Skin Patches (Acanthosis Nigricans)
Some of the little-known symptoms of prediabetes include dark, velvety patches on the neck, armpits, elbows, and knees. These are symptoms of acanthosis nigricans, which usually accompany insulin resistance.
8. Unintended loss or gain of weight
Although weight loss is a prevalent problem for diabetics, patients with prediabetes will likely gain weight, especially around the waist. This happens because the body cannot process glucose and stores fat. If your body cannot utilize glucose effectively, you may lose weight without reason.
Risk Factors for Prediabetes
Some risk factors increase one’s chance of developing prediabetes. Among them are as follows:
- Age: People beyond the age of 45 stand a higher chance.
- Family History: If the family member with whom you have a close living relationship has had type 2 diabetes, there is a probability that you’ll be at high risk.
- Being Obese: Excess Fat, especially Central Obesity, represents a key causative factor.
- Physical inactivity: A sedentary lifestyle can increase your chances of developing prediabetes.
- Ethnicity: Certain groups, including African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, and Asian Americans, are at a higher risk.
- Gestational diabetes: If you had diabetes during pregnancy, you have a higher risk of developing prediabetes later on.
- High blood pressure: A blood pressure reading of 140/90 mmHg or higher can contribute.
- Abnormal cholesterol levels: Low HDL (“good” cholesterol) levels or high triglycerides are also associated with prediabetes.
How to Diagnose Prediabetes
While identifying the symptoms is essential, only a medical test can confirm prediabetes. The tests commonly used for the diagnosis of prediabetes are as follows:
- Fasting Blood Sugar Test: This is a test in which your blood sugar is measured after an overnight fast. If it is between 100 and 125 mg/dL, then it is prediabetes.
- Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT): This test measures how well your body processes sugar. A reading between 140 and 199 mg/dL two hours after drinking a sugary solution is considered prediabetes.
- Hemoglobin A1c Test: This test measures your average blood sugar levels over the past two to three months. A result between 5.7% and 6.4% indicates prediabetes.
What to Do If You Suspect You Have Prediabetes
If you think you have prediabetes with any of the warning signs above, take action immediately by following these steps to reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes:
1. Get Tested: Consult your doctor for blood tests to check whether you have prediabetes. It is worth doing.
2. Lifestyle Changes: Adopt a healthy lifestyle and include;
- Consuming a healthy diet rich in vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
- Regular physical activity, such as walking, swimming, or cycling.
- Reducing excess weight, if needed. Even a tiny amount of weight loss can help improve insulin sensitivity.
3. Check Blood Sugar Levels: Monitor your blood sugar levels frequently to keep track and ensure they are in a healthy range. You can also monitor your blood sugar levels continuously with CGM devices.
4. Consider Medication: Your doctor may prescribe medications, like metformin, to help regulate blood sugar levels.
Conclusion
The most ignored disease, prediabetes, need not become type 2 diabetes. Knowing its signs and symptoms allows you to take proactive action toward your health, further preventing this disease’s progression. If a doctor suspects any prediabetes, he or she must make an appointment and test for it; he or she should also discuss lifestyle modifications with the patient. Early diagnosis can mean life between the long-lasting and death.
