Prediabetes is a term used to describe blood glucose levels that are higher than normal, but not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. It was earlier called Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT), and the current term prediabetes is in use since 2003.
- General criteria for diagnosing prediabetes and diabetes
| Fasting BG | BG 2 Hours < 140 mg/dl |
|
| Normal | 70-99 mg/dl | 140 |
| Prediabetes | 100-125 mg/dl | 140-199 mg/dl |
| Diabetes | ≥ 126 mg/dl | ≥ 200 mg/dl |
If a person knows that they have prediabetes, they can take preventative steps to keep type 2 diabetes from developing.
Signs & Symptoms[]
Signs and symptoms of prediabetes are not easily identifiable except the classical signs of excessive thirst and frequest urination preceding type 2 diabetes. Some other signs and symptoms of prediabetes include:
- Unexplained rapid weight loss or weight gain,
- A feeling of continuous hunger despite taking sufficient food,
- Feelings of weakness and fatigue, loss of feeling in hands and/ or feet,
- Flu, recurring gum and / or skin infections,
- Recurring infections of bladder,
- Recurring vaginal infections,
- Cuts and bruises does not heal fast or does not heal completely,
Risk factors[]
Following are the major risk factors which may aggravate conditions of prediabetes:
- Over weight or [[obesity]]: This is a major risk factor for prediabetes. Fatty tissue cells and muscles become more resistant to insulin creating condition of prediabetes.
- Inactive lifestyle: Having an inactive lifestyle makes one prone to the condition of prediabetes.
- Family history of type 2 diabetes: People with a family history of diabetes are more prone to develop prediabetes compared to people without any family history of diabetes. In this context, family means one or both parents and sibling.
- Age and race: Higher the age, higher is the risk of prediabetes, and particularly after the age of 45 the risk is very high. With increasing age, most of the people tend to become physically inactive, gain weight while losing the muscle - factors which contribute to the condition of prediabetes. However, the condition is increasing even in children, teenagers and young adults. Similarly, certain ethnic groups are more prone to develop prediabetes. For example, around 50% of the Pima Indians of Arizona have diabetes.
- Gestational diabetes: This is a contributing factor for prediabetes. For example. a woman who developed gestational diabetes while pregnant or gave birth to a baby weighing 9 pounds or more, has a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
- Depression: Risk of type 3 diabetes increases with depression, probably because people with depression tend to remain inactive and become overweight.
Prevention[]
The following three steps may prevent prediabetes conditions:
- Choice of healthy foods
- Adopting a more active lifestyle
- Reducing weight
External links[]
- Pre-Diabetes - a page from the site of the ADA
- Prediabetes – a page from the site of the Mayo clinic