Prediabetes is a condition where the blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be called diabetes. This can happen due to impaired fasting glucose, or impaired glucose tolerance.
New Delhi: Diabetes is one of the most common, chronic conditions that affect millions of people around the world. Diabetes is mostly of the two most common types – Type 1 and Type 2. However, there are more than just these two types of diabetes. These include gestational diabetes – high blood sugar levels during pregnancy, and prediabetes – high blood sugar levels even as the cells continue to use insulin to breakdown sugar in the body.
We all have to admit that the lifestyle we have been following during the coronavirus lockdown has been nothing short of unhealthy. Random sleep schedules to random eating times, consuming junk food even if it is home-made, and relying on instant, processed foods due to lack of time has been a common sight in every household. However, can all these factors increase your risk of getting diabetes in the future?
What is prediabetes?
Prediabetes is a condition where the blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be called diabetes. This can happen due to impaired fasting glucose, or impaired glucose tolerance. Most people who are eventually diagnosed with type 2 diabetes have prediabetes. Prediabetes can be considered a warning sign for type 2 diabetes. Timely diagnosis and treatment of prediabetes can help prevent other conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart problems, and kidney issues.
The causes and risk factors for prediabetes
The risk factors of prediabetes include age above 45 years, high cholesterol, gestational diabetes, PCOS, sleep problems, etc.
Causes of prediabetes can range from obesity or being overweight, eating a lot of processed food, sugary drinks, etc, which also increase the risk of obesity. Prediabetes is also affected by the level of physical activity that you perform. Lack of exercises can also increase the risk and cause prediabetes.
Signs and symptoms of prediabetes to watch out for
If people in your family are suffering from type 2 diabetes, or if you have any of the risk factors mentioned above, you must watch out for signs and symptoms of prediabetes, especially during this time as physical activity, and consumption of a poor diet has been at an all-time high. Prediabetes often does not show many symptoms, but you must pay attention to the following –
- Unusual blood sugar reading when tested at home
- Symptoms of insulin resistance – darkened areas of skin, more hunger than usual, trouble concentrating, fatigue
- Heart conditions
Prediabetes can be treated with a healthy diet and exercise routine. Always remember that consuming a healthy, balanced diet can help in tackling most health conditions, and reduce the risk. Eating healthy will help tackle risk factors for prediabetes/Type 2 diabetes as well, and reduce the chances of developing the condition.
Read the article here: Have you developed prediabetes during the lockdown? What you need to know about the condition