You are probably familiar with what diabetes is and what causes it. But did you know that prediabetes is also a serious health condition that often goes undiagnosed in adults? Prediabetes is a condition that’s marked by higher-than-normal blood sugar levels. But since blood sugar levels in people with prediabetes are not yet high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes, an estimated 80% (or more) of people with the condition have no idea they have it.
Whether you have a family history of diabetes or you are dealing with troubling symptoms related to high blood sugar levels, here is a brief guide to help you understand prediabetes. Learn what causes it, who is at risk, and how to treat it.
What Causes Prediabetes
Prediabetes occurs when you become insulin resistant due to chronically high blood sugar levels. Insulin is the driving factor behind prediabetes. Insulin is a hormone your pancreas makes. It regulates how much sugar is allowed into your body’s cells to be used as energy. People with prediabetes have insulin resistance, which means their cells no longer respond normally to insulin. As a result of this abnormal response, the pancreas pumps out even more insulin to try to get the proper response from the body’s cells.
As this pattern continues, the pancreas is no longer able to keep up with the body’s insulin demands. Blood sugar rises and primes the body for prediabetes. Eventually, prediabetes can (and likely will) turn into type 2 diabetes if steps aren’t taken to rectify the problem and adopt a healthier lifestyle.
Symptoms of Prediabetes
It’s hard to fix a problem if you don’t know it exists. Unfortunately, prediabetes usually doesn’t have any symptoms, except for possibly darkened skin on certain areas of the body (such as the armpits, neck and groin). Other than that, you’re unlikely to know you have prediabetes unless you have your blood sugar tested regularly.
Even though you may not be able to tell if you have prediabetes, your body will give you more obvious indications when you cross the threshold from prediabetes to type 2 diabetes. Here are some indications you have developed type 2 diabetes:
- Blurred vision
- Increased thirst
- Unexplainable fatigue
- Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
- Increased hunger
- Frequent urination
- Slow-healing sores
- Frequent infections
- Unintended weight loss
If you notice any of these symptoms, see your health care provider and ask for a blood sugar screening. If you don’t have any of these symptoms but like to eat a lot of sugary treats and processed foods, you still have plenty of time to improve your health before you develop type 2 diabetes!
Steps to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is an alarmingly common condition. If you like to eat sugary foods and highly processed “junk food,” you’re at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Here are some things you can do to prevent the condition from developing:
- Lose excess weight (Newport Medical and Wellness Center has an exceptional weight loss program you can try)
- Exercise regularly
- Eat a healthy diet and avoid sugary foods and drinks
- Manage your stress levels
- Get sufficient sleep at night
These lifestyle changes can help you minimize your chance of developing prediabetes and type 2 diabetes while also improving your overall health.
