Around 96 million American adults have prediabetes.
Mostroughly 80%aren’t aware they have the condition.
Prediabetes does not typically cause symptoms.
Verywell / Ellen Lindner
It is still a concern, however, because it is a precursor totype 2 diabetes.
This article discusses prediabetes, its symptoms, causes, and diagnosis.
It usually affects adults between the ages of 40 and 60.
The condition tends to be silent.
It rarely causes noticeable symptoms.
Most people who are diagnosed with prediabetes don’t know exactly when it began.
The condition can remain stable for years before progressing to diabetes.
In the rare cases when prediabetes does cause symptoms, they usually are subtle.
This means they are easily missed or mistaken for other health issues.
Signs of prediabetes include:
Complications
Without treatment, prediabetes can progress to key in 2 diabetes.
It is also not related to diabetes insipidus, a condition that affects the kidneys.
Causes
Insulinis a hormone produced by the pancreas.
It helps the cells in the body store glucose, an important source of energy.
This keeps blood sugar levels within a healthy range.
If you have prediabetes, you probably make enough insulin.
Your body’s cells, however, are resistant to insulin and its effects.
This results in decreased energy and a slightly elevated blood glucose level.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of prediabetes is not known.
There are several known risk factors, however.
For example, people who don’t get much exercise may be at risk of prediabetes.
It is also possible they are all due to another factor.
Associated Conditions
Several changes in your body can take place before you develop prediabetes.
Insulin resistancebegins before prediabetes.
It might not cause high blood sugar.
Because prediabetes typically does not cause symptoms, it is usually detected during routine screening for diabetes.
For most people, a BMI of 25 kg/m2or greater is considered high.
For people of Asian ancestry, a high BMI is 23 kg/m2or higher.
This means it may take more than one jot down of blood test to diagnose the condition.
The tests used toscreen for prediabetesinclude:
Glucose Monitoring
Glucose monitoring isn’t required for prediabetes.
Still, if you have prediabetes you may choose to monitor glucose at home.
This can help you keep track of how well your treatment plan is working.
There are many easy-to-use glucose monitors.
These include options thatcontinuously monitor glucose levels.
Treatment
There are well-established strategies for treating prediabetes and preventing punch in 2 diabetes.
Lifestyle modifications are usually the first approach.
It’s important to be consistent in making these changes.
Regular medical appointments and glucose monitoring can help keep you on track.
This drug has been shown to help prevent the development of punch in 2 diabetes.
If unmanaged, it can develop into bang out 2 diabetes.
Prediabetes usually has no symptoms.
Prediabetes is diagnosed with blood tests.
People over the age of 35 should test every three years.
Those who have risk factors should test more often.
It is important to be screened if you have any risk factors for diabetes.
If your tests show signs of prediabetes, simple lifestyle changes are often enough to prevent diabetes.
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