What does Pre-diabetes mean?
Prediabetes is a condition where the blood sugar level is higher than normal, but is not high enough to get diagnosed as diabetes. Based on a recent study published in the Indian Journal of Medical Research, 14% of the Indian population is predisposed to diabetes. Prediabetes in a person can increase the risks of developing Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
What are the symptoms of prediabetes?
Prediabetes often goes undetected until any serious health issue occurs as the symptoms of prediabetes are not evident. It is always advised to get blood sugar tested if any one of these are present:
- Overweight
- Age above 45 years
- Family history of type 2 diabetes
- Restricted physical activity
- Gestational diabetes
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Increasing thirst
- Blurry vision
- Delayed wound healing
- Frequent urination at night
What is the range for prediabetes?
- A person is said to have a normal sugar level when the blood sugar level is less than 140 mg / dL (7.8 mmol/L).
- A person suspected to be prediabetic has blood sugar levels ranging from 140 to 199 mg/dL (7.8 to 11.0 mmol/L) and
- When the blood sugar levels range 200 mg/dL (11.1mmol/L ) or higher ,it indicates type 2 diabetes in a person.
What are the warning signs of prediabetes?
The most possible sign a prediabetic can show is having dark skin patches on certain parts of the body such as knuckles, elbows, armpits and neck. A prediabetic is suspected to have moved to type 2 diabetes when there is :
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Excessive hunger
- Frequent urination
- Increased thirst
How should a prediabetic change his lifestyle?
If a prediabetic loses a small amount of weight or if you’re overweight and getting regular physical activity, then it can lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in a person.
A small amount of weight loss means around 7% of your body weight. Regular physical activity of at least 150 minutes a week of brisk walking or similar activity should be followed for half an hour five days a week.
Other lifestyle modifications like getting enough sleep, following a strict meal schedule, intake of more fiber food, and stopping smoking and alcohol prevent and arrest the progression of prediabetes.