Pre-diabetes:
It is the stage before people develop type 2 diabetes, as this stage is characterized by blood glucose levels higher than normal but not high enough to diagnose diabetes, it can also be defined as impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glucose, depending on the test that was used when it was detected, as this condition puts the person at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, so treating this stage prevents more serious health problems, including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular, eye and kidney problems.
Risk factors:
- Aging 45 years or older.
- Family history.
- Being overweight.
- Lacking physical activity.
- Having Hypertensive (high blood pressure) or taking medication for high blood pressure.
- low in the proportion of ("good") cholesterol and / or high triglycerides.
- Diabetes during pregnancy.
- "PCOS" Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
Symptoms:
There are no obvious symptoms for it, so a person may have it and not know it, but some people with pre-diabetes may have some symptoms of diabetes, usually detected when taking a diabetes test.
Diagnoses:
When you have pre-diabetes, you should be examined for type 2 diabetes every one to two years, as the results that indicate pre-diabetes are:
- A1C: from 5.7% - 6.4%
- FBG: 100-125 mg/ dL
- Blood glucose 2 hours after eating: 140 mg/dL - 199 mg/ dL.
Treatment:
A person does not develop type 2 diabetes automatically if they have pre-diabetes, as early treatment can bring blood glucose levels back to normal, which includes:
- Reducing weight if you are overweight about 5% to 10% of your body weight.
- Regular physical activity of at least 150 minutes per week of brisk walking or similar activity.
- Smoking Cessation.
- Control of blood pressure and cholesterol level.
Prevention:
Being physically active and eating foods that are low in carbohydrates, sugars, fats, and salt can help prevent prediabetes.