Prediabetes is a condition that precedes the diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes. Prediabetes is also referred to as impaired glucose tolerance and impaired fasting glucose. With this condition the blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as Type 2 diabetes.
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3 Major Causes of High Blood Sugar
Type 2 diabetes, a non-insulin-dependent diabetes occurs when the pancreas can not make enough insulin to meet the body's needs or when the body does not use insulin properly. The body needs insulin, a hormone to move sugar from the bloodstream into the cells, where it is converted into energy. The onset of prediabetes can occur at any age but usually after 40 years of age.
Symptoms of prediabetes
Although prediabetes has no symptoms, a family history of diabetes, excessive thirst, frequent urination, blurred vision, and extreme fatigue should alert a person that these are diabetes symptoms. Medical lab test can confirm the presence of prediabetes.
Diagnosis of prediabetes
The Fasting Blood Sugar Levels- Blood is drawn after fasting for eight hours. A fasting blood sugar level below 100 (mg/dL) is considered normal. A fasting blood sugar level between 100 and 125 (mg/dL) confirms the presence of prediabetes.
Causes of prediabetes
The sugar in food are converted to glucose, a sugar that the body uses during digestion. The pancreas responds by producing insulin. If the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the body does not use insulin properly, glucose can not get into the cells where it is converted into energy. The body uses this energy in order to function properly. Sugar is the fuel in which the body functions. The accumulation of sugar in the blood causes pre-diabetes. If not treated, this condition will lead to type 2 diabetes. Some complications of type 2 diabetes are heart disease, stroke, kidney, and eye disease,
Prevention
Prediabetes can be prevented by choosing a healthy lifestyle. Diets high in fiber (such as cereal, fruits and vegetables) have shown to help people keep their weight off and lead a healthier lives, thus preventing prediabetes. Studies showed that people who change their lifestyles reduced their risk of getting Type 2 diabetes by 58 percent.
Eat food low in saturated fat but high in soluble fiber. Take regular exercises such as brisk walking, swimming, and biking to keep the blood sugar levels within normal range. If overweight lose weight. Prediabetes can be prevented by losing weight through dietary changes, increased physical activities or both. Prediabetes in very healthy people are possible. The only way to confirm it is to have your blood sugar levels tested.
Copyright © 2012 Alma Apostol All rights reserved worldwide.
Alma B. Apostol is a dynamic Chemist, a Scientist, an Inventor, and a Medical and Clinical Researcher. She is an accomplished, published Author. She co-authored several Academic research articles published in Scientific Journals from 1978 to 2003. She also wrote several articles of various subjects.
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