Prediabetes: definition, symptoms, and treatment

Definition

What is prediabetes?

Prediabetes (or some people also call it prediabetes) is an increase in blood sugar levels from normal levels but not high enough to be categorized as diabetes.

However, without medical treatment, prediabetes has the potential to develop into type 2 diabetes in less than 10 years.

Normally, fasting blood sugar levels in healthy people are less than 100 mg / dL. People with prediabetes have fasting blood sugar (GDP) levels between 100-125 mg / dL (5.6-7.0 mmol / L).

Meanwhile, a person is said to have diabetes if his fasting blood sugar level reaches 126 mg / dL (7.0 mmol / L) or more.

The condition of prediabetes may indicate decreased function of the pancreas for the hormone insulin, especially after eating. In addition, it could also mean that the body begins to struggle or is no longer sensitive to respond to the presence of insulin.

Even though it is characterized by high sugar levels and the possibility of insulin interference, prediabetes can still be treated so as not to develop diabetes mellitus.

It can be said if this condition is a warning against the emergence of diabetes.

How common is this condition?

Prediabetes is common. Most cases are found in adult patients, especially those aged 40 years and over.

However, it is possible that anyone can have this condition. Especially those who have risk factors for developing diabetes mellitus, such as being overweight, inactive, and having hereditary diabetes.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of prediabetes?

In most cases, there are no obvious signs and symptoms. Most people who have this condition experience no health complaints at all.

However, many people who are diagnosed with prediabetes experience the following signs or symptoms:

Get thirsty faster
Urinating frequently
Often feels tired
Blurry vision
Darkened skin, usually on the neck, armpits, elbows, knees and knuckles.
Gout symptoms such as pain in the joints, muscles, and bones or swelling and pain in the big toe

Another impact of this condition is the risk of damaging the heart and circulatory system long before finally experiencing type 2 diabetes.

When to go to the doctor

Immediately see a doctor if you experience the above symptoms and have a condition that triggers risk factors for diabetes.

Everyone's body is different, that's why the symptoms that appear can also be different.

If you are not already a prediabetic person but are at risk of developing diabetes, do regular blood sugar checks.

Cause

What causes prediabetes?

Until now, experts still do not know what the exact cause of prediabetes is. However according to the study entitled Pathophysiology of Type-2 Diabetes, family heredity and genetics are believed to play a big role in causing prediabetes.

In addition, the body that rarely moves and the accumulation of fat in certain parts of the body can also increase your risk.

Apart from these conditions, experts also agree that prediabetes is affected by the body being unable to process glucose, which is the sugar produced by the breakdown of carbohydrates, normally. As a result, glucose builds up in the bloodstream.

Glucose should be a source of energy for body cells so that they can carry out organ functions properly. In the process of absorption of glucose from the blood to the body's cells, the hormone insulin is needed.

When your body shows symptoms of prediabetes, the process of glucose absorption with the help of insulin has a problem. Instead of using insulin, the cells in the body do not "recognize" insulin as they should.

As a result, sugar also builds up in the blood. This condition in which the body's cells are unable to respond to the insulin hormone properly is also known as insulin resistance.

Risk factors

What factors put you at risk for this condition?

Anyone can get this condition, no matter how old they are. However, there are several factors that can increase a person's risk of prediabetes, namely:

1. Age

The most cases of prediabetes were found in patients aged 40 years and over.

This means that, as you get older, the risk of having this condition increases.

2. Race

Although the exact reason is not known, people of certain racial groups, such as African Americans, Hispanics, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders are more prone to developing prediabetes.

3. Descendants of the family

If you have a family member who has prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, you have a greater chance of developing the condition in the future.

4. Weight and waist circumference

Being overweight or obese is a major risk factor for prediabetes. The more fatty tissue there is in your body, especially around your stomach, the higher your risk of suffering from prediabetes.

People with a body mass index that exceeds 25 tend to be more prone to developing diabetes. That means, the risk of prediabetes is also high.

The easy way, you can also measure your waist circumference by hand. You are at risk of having prediabetes or diabetes if your waist circumference is more than 4 inches.

5. Diet

Frequent consumption of red meat, processed meats, and drinking sugary drinks can also increase your risk of developing prediabetes.

This happens because these foods are high in sugar and salt, so they can affect the performance of the hormone insulin in regulating blood sugar.

6. Move rarely

The less often you exercise or be physically active, the more likely you are to develop prediabetes.

Physical activity can help you control your weight, so that the glucose in the body will be used for energy, and the body's cells will be more sensitive in responding to insulin.

7. Experiencing stress

If you are under a lot of mental stress or stress, you are at risk of developing prediabetes.

Apart from increasing the risk, stress can also trigger other problems, such as heart disease.

8. Experiencing diabetes during pregnancy (gestational)

Gestational diabetes is generally experienced by women when they enter pregnancy. If you are a woman and develop this condition while pregnant, you and your baby are at risk of developing prediabetes which can lead to diabetes.

If the baby you gave birth weighs more than 4.1 kilograms, you are also more likely to develop prediabetes.

9. Suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS is characterized by irregular menstrual cycles, excessive hair growth, and weight gain.

This condition puts you at a higher risk of developing prediabetes and diabetes.

10. Have a sleep disorder

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes breathing to be interrupted repeatedly during sleep, resulting in poor sleep quality.

This disturbed sleep can increase the risk of prediabetes. The effect is the same as for people whose working hours have changed, that is, they are more active at night (shift night).

Diagnosis & treatment

The information described is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How do doctors diagnose this condition?

Three types of tests can diagnose prediabetes, namely:

1. HbA1C test

The HbA1C test shows your average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months.

Here are the results of a prediabetes test that can show your body condition.

An HbA1C level below 5.7% indicates normal conditions
If your HbA1C level is between 5.7-6.4%, you have prediabetes
If the HbA1C level is 6.5% or more, you may have type 2 diabetes

2. Fasting blood sugar test (GDP) and oral glucose tolerance test (TTGO)

In this blood sugar test, your doctor will ask you to fast throughout the night, usually for 8 hours. After that, a sample of fasting blood sugar (GDP) will be taken.

After the GDP value is known, the doctor will ask you to drink 75 grams of glucose liquid. Samples were taken again 2 hours later. This second test aims to measure the value of oral glucose tolerance (TTGO).

In normal people, the GDP level should not exceed 100 mg / dL, and the TTGO level should be less than 140 mg / dL.

If Your GDP level is normal with TTGO in the range 140-199 mg / dL, there is your possibility have prediabetes.

The same is true if Your TTGO levels are normal, but your GDP test results are in the range of 100-125 mg / dL.

The results of blood sugar test readings that show prediabetes, diabetes, and normal blood sugar conditions can be summarized as in the PERKENI report below.

Source: Indonesian Association of Endocrinologists (Perkeni), 2015

Treatment

How do you treat prediabetes?

Prediabetes has not been officially declared diabetes so it can still be cured.

The first treatment to prevent prediabetes into diabetes is to adopt a lifestyle to control blood sugar levels, such as:

1. Maintain ideal body weight

If you are overweight, it's a good idea to lose 5-7% of your body weight to prevent both prediabetes and diabetes.

2. Exercise regularly

Exercise is the most important thing you need to do to prevent prediabetes. Instead, do 30 minutes of moderate exercise 5 times a week.

Some choices of activities that you can try are walking, cycling, or swimming.

3. Live a healthy diet

Apart from exercising, you must also pay attention to food intake.

Avoid foods that can increase blood sugar such as canned food, fast food, fried or high-sugar foods. Also reduce sugary and fizzy drinks.

4. Stop smoking and avoid alcoholic drinks

You should start reducing or even quitting smoking altogether. You should also avoid consuming alcoholic drinks too often. Both can cause inflammation that triggers diabetes.

5. Blood sugar-lowering drugs

If your blood sugar test results are still high and your lifestyle changes are not effective enough to lower your sugar levels, you may need to take diabetes medications. The drug most commonly prescribed to treat this condition is metformin (Glucophage).

If you have questions about prediabetes, consult your doctor to get the best understanding and health solutions.