Prediabetes Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

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Prediabetes Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

Definition

Prediabetes or borderline diabetes is a condition in which blood sugar levels exceed normal limits, but are not too high to be included in the category of diabetes mellitus.

This metabolic condition is closely related to obesity. If undiagnosed and left untreated, prediabetes can develop into type 2 diabetes mellitus. 

In addition, the risk of suffering of heart disease and stroke also increases.

Meanwhile, prediabetes conditions are divided into two, namely:

  • Impaired fasting blood sugar (GDPT), when fasting blood sugar levels are higher than normal
  • Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), when blood sugar levels after eating are higher than normal

Prediabetes 

Medical specialist Internal medicine specialist
Symptoms The skin color becomes dark on the neck, groin, and armpits, thirsty quickly, hungry quickly, frequently urination
risk factor Obesity, family history of diabetes, lack of physical activity
diagnosis   Examination of GDP, OGTT, and HbA1c
Treatment Lifestyle changes to be healthier
Drug Medications to lower blood sugar (metformin)
Complications Type 2 diabetes mellitus, heart disease, kidney damage, nerve damage, blindness, amputation
When to see a doctor? Have risk factors and symptoms of prediabetes

Symptoms

Many people are not aware that they have prediabetes. Usually, this condition does not show any typical symptoms. 

Usually, the symptoms of prediabetes are shown by a darkening of the skin color in several parts of the body, such as the back of the neck, armpits and groin.

To be more vigilant, you must know the characteristics of prediabetes when it has turned into diabetes mellitus, namely:

  • Increased thirst
  • Frequent urination
  • Get hungry quickly
  • Fatigue
  • Blurred vision
  • Tingling or numbness in the feet or hands
  • Wounds that are difficult to heal
  • Unexplained weight loss

Reason

The cause of prediabetes is a problem with insulin, a hormone that helps glucose enter cells and provide energy for the body. 

Impaired insulin can be:

  • The hormone insulin works to control blood sugar
  • The amount of insulin hormone is not enough
  • The body does not respond to insulin properly

Risk Factors

The risk factors for prediabetes include:

  • Overweight or obesity
  • Family history of diabetes
  • Have high blood pressure, low HDL levels or high triglycerides
  • Age over 40 years
  • Give birth to a child weighing more than 4 kg
  • Less active moving
  • Memiliki PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome)
  • Consuming too many unhealthy foods, such as fatty red meat, sweets, packaged foods, soft drinks
  • Smoking 

Diagnosis

To detect prediabetes, a blood test is needed for fasting blood sugar levels or HbA1c levels. 

You can be diagnosed with prediabetes when:

  • Fasting blood glucose level: 100 mg/Dl–125 mg/dL
  • HbA1c (average blood sugar level for the past 2–3 months): 5.7 – 6.4 percent

If symptoms of diabetes are present but the HbA1c level is lower than 42 mmol/mol, an oral glucose tolerance test may be recommended. 

Impaired glucose tolerance when the results are 140 mg/dL–199 mg/dL.

Treatment

Prediabetes can be cured and not develop into diabetes if you modify your lifestyle to be healthier. 

There are several ways to do this, such as:

1. Controlling Weight

Excess body weight (BB) will increase the risk of prediabetes to become DM. Losing weight even just 5–10% will make a significant difference.

2. Diet Changes

Eat lean protein, vegetables and whole grains. Limit the number of calories, especially carbohydrates and sugar. 

Eating foods that are high in fiber will help you feel full faster and not eat too much.

3. Add Physical Activity as a Lifestyle

Regular exercise of at least 30 minutes a day, such as cycling, swimming, or brisk walking is enough to prevent and manage diabetes.

4. Quit Smoking

Smoking is one of the prediabetes taboos. The reason is, this bad habit can improve how insulin works so that sugar levels can be controlled properly.

5. Controls Cholesterol and Blood Pressure

High blood pressure and cholesterol can be risk factors for prediabetes. So, try to keep both of them normal to avoid diabetes.

6. Consumption of blood sugar-lowering drugs

Doctors can prescribe blood sugar-lowering drugs, such as metformin if you are considered to be at high risk of developing diabetes mellitus.

Prevention

Prediabetes that is detected early can be treated and prevented from developing into type 2 DM. 

The prevention you can do includes:

  • Eat low-fat, low-calorie, and high-fiber foods
  • Maintain an ideal weight
  • Exercise regularly
  • Enough rest
  • Manage stress well
  • Check blood sugar levels regularly
  • Stop smoking

Complications

If not handled properly, prediabetes can become type 2 diabetes mellitus and can cause complications in the form of:

  • High cholesterol
  • Kidney damage
  • Nerve damage
  • High blood pressure
  • Heart disease
  • Blindness
  • Loss of a limb (amputation)

When to See a Doctor?

If you feel you have a risk of developing prediabetes from the risk factors and symptoms mentioned above, immediately see a doctor to have your blood sugar level checked.

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