Prediabetes is a condition in which your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough for you to be diagnosed with type-II diabetes.
If you’ve been diagnosed with prediabetes, it’s important to take steps to prevent type 2 diabetes. Left untreated, prediabetes can lead to type 2 diabetes within 5 years. In this blog post, we will give you 10 tips to follow if you’re prediabetic.
What is prediabetes?
Prediabetes is a condition in which your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough for you to be diagnosed with type-II diabetes.
If you have prediabetes, it doesn’t mean that you will develop type-II diabetes, but it does increase your risk.
Symptoms of prediabetes
There are often no symptoms of prediabetes, which is why it’s important to get your blood sugar levels checked by a doctor.
If you do have symptoms, they may include:
- Excessive thirst
- Frequent urination
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
Causes of prediabetes
Several things can increase your risk of prediabetes, including:
- Family history: If you have a parent or grandparent with type-II diabetes, you’re more likely to develop it yourself.
- Age: The risk of prediabetes and type-II diabetes increases as you age.
- Weight: Being overweight or obese increases your risk.
- Sedentary lifestyle: A sedentary lifestyle (not enough physical activity) can increase your risk.
- Unhealthy diet: Eating a diet high in sugar, fat, and processed foods can increase your risk.
- Race: African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans are at a higher risk.
- Sleep: Not getting enough sleep or having irregular sleep patterns can increase your risk.
- Stress: Chronic stress can increase your risk.
Diagnosis of prediabetes
If you have any of the risk factors listed above, it’s important to get your blood sugar levels checked by a doctor. Two tests are used to diagnose prediabetes:
The AIC test ( fasting plasma glucose test) measures your blood sugar after an overnight fast.
The OGTT (oral glucose tolerance test) measures your blood sugar after you’ve fasted for at least eight hours and then had a sugary drink.
If your blood sugar is higher than normal on either of these tests, you will be diagnosed with prediabetes.
Complications of prediabetes
If left untreated, prediabetes can lead to type-II diabetes within five years. But, even if you don’t develop diabetes, prediabetes can still cause complications, including:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Kidney disease
- Eye problems
Treatment for prediabetes
The good news is that prediabetes is reversible. If you’ve been diagnosed with prediabetes, the first step is to see your doctor and get a treatment plan.
By making lifestyle changes and working with your doctor, you can lower your blood sugar levels and reduce your risk of developing type-II diabetes.
10 tips to follow if you’re prediabetic
If you’re prediabetic, it’s important to take steps to prevent type II diabetes. Here are some tips to follow:
- Eat a healthy diet. Eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein can help you maintain a healthy weight and blood sugar levels. Bajra roti is a low-carb, high-fiber bread that’s also low in calories.
- Avoid eating large meals. When you eat a big meal, your blood sugar levels rise. This can be especially hard on your body if you’re already prediabetic. Try to eat several small meals throughout the day instead of three large ones.
- Get regular exercise. Exercise can help you lose weight and lower your blood sugar levels. Try to take a walk for 30 minutes after each meal.
- Monitor your blood sugar levels. Checking your blood sugar levels regularly can help you keep track of how well your treatment plan is working.
- Drink more water. Drinking water can help you stay hydrated and flush out excess sugar from your body.
- Cut back on sugary drinks. Sugary drinks like soda and juice can raise your blood sugar levels.
- Limit alcohol intake. Alcohol can interfere with diabetes medications and make it harder to control your blood sugar levels.
- Reduce stress. Stress can raise your blood sugar levels. Try to find ways to relax and manage stress.
- Get enough sleep. Getting enough sleep can help you manage stress and blood sugar levels.
- Talk to your doctor. If you’re having trouble managing your blood sugar levels, talk to your doctor. They can help you adjust your treatment plan.
If you have prediabetes, it’s important to take steps to prevent type-II diabetes. By making lifestyle changes and working with your doctor, you can lower your blood sugar levels and reduce your risk of developing diabetes.
