What Is Prediabetes? Know All About This Silent Condition

Prediabetes has emerged as a significant precursor to type 2 diabetes. While often overlooked, prediabetes plays a crucial role in understanding the progression of diabetes and its associated complications. With its subtle symptoms and potential for grave consequences, prediabetes demands our attention and a proactive approach to prevention. This article delves into the intricacies of prediabetes, exploring its causes, risk factors, diagnostic methods, and strategies for prevention and treatment.

What Is Prediabetes?

Prediabetes is a hyperglycemic state in which glycemic parameters are higher than normal but lower than the diabetes threshold. While the diagnostic criteria for prediabetes differ between global health organisations, the condition remains a high-risk state for developing diabetes, with a yearly conversion rate of 5%-10%.

Research evidence suggests that there could be a link between prediabetes and diabetes complications such as early nephropathy, small fibre neuropathy, early retinopathy, and an increased risk of macrovascular disease.

Symptoms Of Prediabetes

Patients with prediabetes typically exhibit no symptoms. However, a research paper confirmed that patients with the condition displayed some symptoms. Research revealed that fatigue is the most common symptom in both the prediabetes and diabetes groups. Another symptom of the condition is having blood sugar levels higher than normal. Under normal circumstances, blood glucose levels range from 70 mg/dL to 99 mg/dL, but in patients with prediabetes, blood glucose levels range from 110 mg/dL to 125 mg/dL.

How Common Is Prediabetes?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 84 million American adults have prediabetes. This equates to one out of every three adults in the United States. Approximately 90% of these adults are unaware that they have prediabetes and are putting themselves at risk for the consequences. Diabetes is clearly spreading at an alarming rate around the world. Every year, approximately 1.5 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes in the United States. These increases correspond to the rapid rise in obesity prevalence. Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States each year, costing approximately $245 billion. This demonstrates that prediabetes is a very common disease.

Prediabetes: Causes And Risk Factors

Pre-Diabetes susceptibility is influenced by a variety of factors, some of which are uncontrollable and others which are modifiable. These factors are:

Non-modifiable Risk Factors

Family History: You are much more likely to develop prediabetes if diabetes runs in your family.

Age: Age plays a role in increased susceptibility to prediabetes as one gets older.

Impact on Gestation: Having gestational diabetes during pregnancy increases the chance of developing type 2 diabetes or prediabetes in the future.

Modifiable Diabetes Risk Factors

Weight Control: Being overweight or obese significantly increases the risk of developing prediabetes.

Physical Inactivity: A sedentary lifestyle increases the likelihood of developing prediabetes.

Blood Pressure: High blood pressure is a risk factor for both prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.

Elevated Cholesterol Levels: Elevated cholesterol levels have been linked to an increased risk of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.

Tobacco Use: Smoking increases one's risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Unhealthy Dietary Patterns: Unhealthy dietary patterns significantly increase the risk of both prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.

Sleeping Habits: Inadequate or excessive sleep can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Consumption of Alcohol: Excessive alcohol consumption is a risk factor for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.

Stress Management: Poor stress management can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Tests And Diagnosis For Prediabetes

Glycated Haemoglobin Fasting Test

The Glycated Haemoglobin Fasting Test is used to screen people who have recently been diagnosed with diabetes or pre-diabetes. The individual must fast for a specified period of time, usually overnight, prior to the test. This helps to keep blood glucose levels stable. The blood glucose levels of a prediabetic patient are measured using these samples after a blood sample is taken. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), prediabetes is defined as an FPG level between 100 and 125 mg/dL (5.6 to 6.9 mmol/L).

Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)

For a long time, the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) has been widely used in clinics and basic research. Fasting is required for an OGTT. A doctor will check your blood glucose levels twice as part of the test, once at the start of the appointment and again 2 hours later after you drink a sugary drink.

If your blood sugar level after 2 hours is 140 to 199 mg/dL, the test indicates IGT, or prediabetes.

A1C Test

The A1C test is also known as the HbA1c test or the haemoglobin A1c test. A1C tests assess average blood glucose levels over the previous 2 to 3 months. So, even if your fasting blood sugar is high, your overall blood sugar may be normal, or vice versa. A normal fasting blood sugar level does not rule out the possibility of type 2 diabetes. An A1C level of 5.7% to 6.4% indicates prediabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA).

Children And Prediabetes Testing

It's crucial to assess the potential susceptibility of children to an elevated risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Various diagnostic examinations can assist in this regard. Among the prevalent options are the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test, the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and the measurement of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c).

Medical professionals commonly employ the FPG and HbA1c assessments specifically for children. These diagnostic tools play a pivotal role in identifying the likelihood of type 2 diabetes manifestation in young individuals.

The HbA1c test might not be perfect for overweight or obese kids, but it can still help tell if a child has a problem with prediabetes.

Another test is the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test. This test checks the sugar levels in the blood of kids who might get diabetes or prediabetes.

Doing these tests helps doctors find out which type 2 diabetes a child could have.. This way, they can help these kids early on by giving advice and making changes to their lifestyle. This can stop prediabetes from turning into diabetes.

Prediabetes Complications

People who have prediabetes are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, heart problems, and strokes. Diabetes problems are classified into two types: acute and chronic. Diabetic ketoacidosis, severe low blood sugar, and diabetes-related coma are just a few examples. Long-term effects include heart disease, nerve damage, kidney problems, and vision problems.

People with prediabetes are also more likely to develop heart disease, heart disorders, and strokes. They may also develop a condition known as peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Many factors contribute to this, including high blood sugar, insulin resistance, swelling, and stress.

Preventing Type 2 Diabetes

Preventing type 2 diabetes is critical for lowering the chances of developing this chronic condition. Regular exercise, such as brisk walking for 150 minutes per week, a healthy diet low in bad fats and sugars but high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, managing weight by losing even a small amount (5-7% of body weight), and sometimes using medication like metformin for high-risk individuals are all effective strategies. Lifestyle programs that incorporate diet, exercise, and behavioural changes can also be extremely beneficial. All of these approaches aim to lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and maintain good health.

Treatment To Reverse Prediabetes

Treating prediabetes involves lifestyle changes and medications. Lifestyle means being active and choosing healthy foods. Some studies show this helps. Medicines like metformin also help. They control blood sugar. Other drugs like glitazones, α-glucosidase inhibitors, and GLP-1 analogs can be used. Surgery is an option too. It helps with weight and sugar control. Different ways can help with prediabetes.

Are There Medicines For Treating Prediabetes?

Studies have shown that metformin, a common diabetes medication, reduces diabetes risk by 45%. Glitazones (which reduce insulin resistance), α-glucosidase inhibitors (which slow glucose absorption), and GLP-1 analogues (which increase insulin secretion) are some other medications. Orlistat promotes weight loss, whereas bariatric surgery significantly reduces the risk of diabetes. Multiple options provide varying benefits in the management of prediabetes.

Conclusion

Prediabetes is a wake-up call that offers individuals an opportunity to take charge of their health and make informed decisions. Hence, by understanding the significance of prediabetes becomes paramount. By recognizing the modifiable risk factors, adopting healthier lifestyles, and leveraging medical interventions, we can collectively curb the progression from prediabetes to type 2 diabetes.

Your Aster DM Team

Our team of healthcare professionals at Aster DM Team specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes and other endocrine disorders. Our Diabetologists provide a number of services to help people with prediabetes manage their condition and avoid developing type 2 diabetes.

FAQS

1. What should I do if I am prediabetic?

If you have been diagnosed with prediabetes, the first step is to consult with a Diabetologist who will recommend treatment options. Aside from that, if you haven't already, you can begin a healthier lifestyle by exercising, eating well, and avoiding fatty foods.

2. Can prediabetes be treated?

Yes, prediabetes can be reversed if certain positive steps are taken. A healthy diet, exercise, weight management, stress reduction, and adequate sleep are all important lifestyle changes. Metformin, for example, can be prescribed. Regular follow-up with healthcare professionals allows you to track your progress and adjust your treatment plan.

3. Can I recover from prediabetes?

Yes, you can recover from pre-diabetes. Prediabetes is a condition in which blood sugar levels are elevated but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. Prediabetes can be reversed and blood sugar levels returned to normal with lifestyle changes and proper management.

4. Do prediabetes symptoms go away?

Symptoms of prediabetes are uncommon. However, some people with prediabetes may experience symptoms associated with high blood sugar levels, such as fatigue, thirst, and frequent urination. These symptoms may improve with a change in lifestyle and proper prediabetes management.

What Is Prediabetes? Know All About This Silent Condition