Summary about Disease
Prediabetes is a condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. It means your body isn't using insulin properly. Without lifestyle changes, prediabetes can lead to type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. It's often asymptomatic and is detected through blood tests.
Symptoms
Prediabetes often has no noticeable symptoms. Some people may experience:
Increased thirst
Frequent urination
Blurred vision
Fatigue However, these symptoms are generally subtle and may not be attributed to prediabetes until a diagnosis is made through blood tests.
Causes
Prediabetes develops when cells in the body become resistant to insulin or when the pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin to keep blood sugar levels in the normal range. Risk factors include:
Family history of type 2 diabetes
Being overweight or obese
Physical inactivity
Age (45 years or older)
Gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy)
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Certain ethnicities (African American, Hispanic/Latino American, American Indian, Alaska Native, Pacific Islander)
Medicine Used
While medication isn't always necessary in prediabetes, some doctors may prescribe metformin to help improve insulin sensitivity and lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, especially in individuals at high risk. Lifestyle changes are usually the first line of treatment.
Is Communicable
No, prediabetes is not communicable. It is not caused by an infectious agent and cannot be spread from person to person.
Precautions
Precautions to take if you have prediabetes include:
Adopting a healthy diet (low in processed foods, sugary drinks, and saturated fats)
Engaging in regular physical activity (at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week)
Maintaining a healthy weight
Quitting smoking
Managing stress
Regular monitoring of blood sugar levels as recommended by your doctor.
How long does an outbreak last?
Prediabetes isn't an "outbreak." It's a chronic condition. Once blood sugar levels are elevated to the prediabetes range, they will remain elevated unless lifestyle changes or medication are implemented to lower them. Without intervention, prediabetes can progress to type 2 diabetes.
How is it diagnosed?
Prediabetes is diagnosed through blood tests that measure blood sugar levels. Common tests include:
Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG): Measures blood sugar after an overnight fast. A level between 100 and 125 mg/dL indicates prediabetes.
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT): Measures blood sugar levels two hours after drinking a sugary liquid. A level between 140 and 199 mg/dL indicates prediabetes.
A1C Test: Measures average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months. An A1C between 5.7% and 6.4% indicates prediabetes.
Timeline of Symptoms
Prediabetes often has no noticeable symptoms in its early stages. If symptoms do occur, they tend to develop gradually over time as blood sugar levels remain elevated. The timeline for symptom onset varies from person to person.
Important Considerations
Early detection and intervention are crucial to preventing progression to type 2 diabetes.
Lifestyle changes are highly effective in managing prediabetes and lowering the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Regular monitoring of blood sugar levels is important, even with lifestyle changes.
Individuals with prediabetes should work closely with their healthcare provider to develop a personalized management plan.
Prediabetes increases the risk of other health problems, such as heart disease and stroke.