Prediabetes Symptoms an Introduction

Diabetes has become one of the most diagnosed health conditions globally, with thousands of people of all ages being diagnosed every day. Although it can be hereditary, it can also often be avoided by being aware of prediabetes symptoms. If you know possible signs of prediabetes, you will understand that changes in your healthcare are needed to prevent being diagnosed with the disease. Therefore, it is beneficial for everyone to know what the symptoms of prediabetes are and Well Heeled takes a closer look at this.

What does prediabetes mean?

If a doctor tells you that you are a prediabetic, it means that your blood sugar level is higher than average but not yet high enough to be classified as diabetic. Although being diagnosed as prediabetic doesn’t mean that you are guaranteed to become diabetic, you will likely develop diabetes if you don’t make severe lifestyle changes.

In fact, often, people suffer some damage to their kidneys, blood vessels, and heart while dealing with prediabetes. However, the good news is that you can avoid a progression from your prediabetes diagnosis to a diabetes diagnosis by changing the way you live.

People have had great success in improving their prediabetic diagnosis by following a healthy and balanced diet, exercising regularly, and achieving and maintaining an ideal BMI.

What are the symptoms of prediabetes?

Unfortunately, prediabetes doesn’t have as clear symptoms as diabetes has. The most noticeable sign of prediabetes is darkening skin on the knuckles, neck, knees, armpits, and elbows. Therefore, if you notice any spots of darkened skin, it is best to see your doctor. When prediabetes starts to progress towards type 2 diabetes, there will be more symptoms, including:

• Blurry vision
• A frequent need to urinate
• Excessive thirst
• Increased hunger
• Experiencing unusual fatigue

These symptoms could indicate that prediabetes has progressed into type 2 diabetes, and so, it is best to consult a doctor immediately if these symptoms persist. If you suspect that you might have prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, your doctor can do blood sugar screening to determine it.

What are the causes of prediabetes?

Although the exact causes of prediabetes aren’t known, several factors play a part in the diagnosis of prediabetes. These include:

Not getting enough exercise

Regular exercise is necessary to maintain a healthy body. It is best to exercise at least 30 minutes a day. The method of exercise isn’t as important as long as your heart rate rises and there is some muscle movement. A brisk daily walk can do wonders in keeping the body healthy and free of health complications.

Being overweight

People who are overweight are more likely to be diagnosed with prediabetes. Therefore, it is best to achieve healthy body weight and maintain it by eating a balanced diet and exercising daily.

What are the risk factors of prediabetes?

The factors that increase the risk of getting prediabetes are the same as those of type 2 diabetes. They include:

Unhealthy body weight

The primary risk for being diagnosed with prediabetes is being overweight. The reason for this is that the body’s cells become more resistant to insulin if there is more fatty tissue.

Oversized waist

A bigger waist size can be an indication of the body’s resistance to insulin. Men with waist lines of more than 40 inches and women with more than 35 inches are more likely to suffer from insulin resistance.

An unbalanced diet

A healthy diet lowers your risk of being diagnosed with prediabetes. Therefore, be sure to follow a diet that contains healthful oils, whole grains, fruit, vegetables, and nuts. It is best to avoid food such as processed and red meat and food high in unprocessed fats and sugars. ●       Not being active enough

Very inactive people are more likely to be diagnosed with prediabetes. Daily exercise not only helps with weight control, but it also helps regulate the body’s insulin use. ●    Being of a mature age

Although people of any age can develop prediabetes, it is more likely in people who are older than 45.

A history of diabetes in the family

Unfortunately, people who have diabetes in their family history, specifically their siblings or parents, are more likely to develop diabetes.

Your race

Although the cause is unknown, certain racial groups are more likely to develop prediabetes.

These races include Asian Americans, American Indians, Black and Hispanic people.

Pregnancies that develop gestational diabetes

A mother and her child are more likely to develop prediabetes if she was diagnosed with gestational diabetes during her pregnancy. Therefore, it is recommended that women who had gestational diabetes have their blood sugar checked at least once every three years after the delivery.

Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Women who suffer from POS have a higher risk of developing prediabetes. POS is characterized by obesity, excessive growth of hair, and menstrual periods that are irregular. ●         Insufficient sleep

Those who have a condition called sleep apnea are more likely to develop prediabetes. Therefore, it is recommended to sleep at least seven hours every night.

Smoking

Smokers are more likely to develop prediabetes.

Suffering from a metabolic syndrome

Those who have a health complication known as metabolic syndrome are more likely to develop prediabetes. They also have an increased risk of developing high blood pressure and low HDL cholesterol levels.

What are the health complications of prediabetes?

The most severe health complication of prediabetes is the progression from prediabetes to type 2 diabetes. If prediabetes develops into type 2 diabetes, these can be the health complications:

• Amputations of the feet due to irregular blood flow
• High blood pressure
• Problems with vision include the possibility of complete vision loss
• High cholesterol
• Nerve damage
• Heart disease or strokes
• Kidney disease or failure

Prediabetes has been known to cause some damage to the kidneys and heart, even resulting in tiny heart attacks that are unnoticed.

How do you prevent prediabetes?

Everyone should follow a healthy lifestyle since it can go a long way in preventing prediabetes and the progression to type 2 diabetes. Here are the needed lifestyle habits that we should all aim for:

• Following a healthy diet that is rich in fruit, vegetables, and healthy meat and oil
• Exercising at least 30 minutes a day
• Achieving and maintaining a healthy BMI
• Controlling your cholesterol and blood pressure
• Avoid smoking and excessive drinking

Conclusion

Although a prediabetes diagnosis doesn’t necessarily mean that it will develop into type 2 diabetes, it is the wake-up call that most people need to make the lifestyle changes that will benefit their health and bodies. By living a healthy lifestyle, you can significantly reduce the risk of developing prediabetes and increase your likelihood of living a long and prosperous life.

For more information on diabetes, don’t forget to check out our blog page for more information such as on type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes.