Symptoms of Pre-Diabetes - Who Should Be Tested?

Most pre-diabetics don't even realize they have it and are dangerously close to being a full blown diabetic. Impaired glucose tolerance, otherwise known as Prediabetes, affects over fifty-seven million people (age 20 and older) in the U.S. alone.



With pre-diabetes, your blood sugar level is higher then normal, but not high enough to be labeled diabetes. Doctors are finally realizing how important it is to diagnose prediabetes. Early detection and treatment may help prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes.



Symptoms of Pre-Diabetes - Who Should Be Tested?



Most people with pre-diabetes do not have any symptoms. However, signs such as unusual thirst, blurred vision, extreme tiredness or fatigue and frequent urination are sure signs of pre-diabetes and should be checked out further.



Who should be tested for pre-diabetes?



* Anyone over the age of 45
* If you are overweight with a BMI (body mass index) over 25
* If diabetes runs in your family
* If you fall into a high risk ethnic group such as; Native Americans, African Americans, Pacific Islanders and Latinos



* If you have delivered a baby weighing more than 9 pounds or have had gestational diabetes
* If you previously had and abnormal glucose (blood sugar) test
* If you have a health condition such as; high cholesterol, (high LDL, low HDL) hypertension and high triglycerides
* If you are inactive



How Is Pre-diabetes Determined?



In order for your doctor to determine if you have symptoms of pre-diabetes, one of two different tests are given - fasting plasma glucose and oral glucose.



Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) tests your blood sugar level after an 8 hour fasting period. This is where no food or liquid (other then water) is consumed for at least 8 hours. If your blood sugar level is abnormal after fasting for 8 hours, this means your body does not metabolize glucose correctly, suggesting pre-diabetes.

Symptoms of Pre-Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease that typically affects nearly eight percent of the population. Early diagnosis is important because damage to eyes and internal organs could begin years before treatment. Individuals showing early symptoms of Type I or Type II Diabetes should consult a physician who can provide a diagnosis from blood examination.



Type I Diabetes is a disease that occurs when the body does not produce insulin. It is often associated with Juvenile Diabetes since the onset often occurs in children and young adults. Treatment for Type I Diabetes is always prescribed insulin. Type II Diabetes is more common in older adults when the body produces insufficient amounts of insulin. Type II Diabetes can often be controlled with exercise and a healthy diet.



Symptoms of a Type I Pre-diabetic condition includes extreme thirst and hunger with frequent urination. The individual may also show an unusual amount of weight loss not associated with dieting. The person may feel tired or irritable. Blood evaluation will show an elevated amount of sugar in the blood typically in the range 100 to 125 milligrams per deciliter.



Symptoms of a Type II Pre-diabetic condition will show similar symptoms as for Type I Diabetes. In addition, cuts and bruises may be slow to heal and there will be recurrence of skin infections. The hands and feet may begin to feel numb and vision may become blurred. The individual will generally show blood sugar content over 125 milligrams per deciliter.



People showing symptoms related to a Pre-Diabetic condition should schedule an examination immediately. The blood examination is the best method of determining possible diabetes. Type II Diabetes is often treatable with exercise and changes to the diet. Ignoring symptoms, however, can lead to developing degenerative diseases associated with eye, kidneys and other internal organs.

Understanding and Managing Pre-Diabetes

Pre-diabetes is a health condition where a person's blood sugar is high but not to the point of being termed as diabetic. In fact, most people with pre diabetes are completely unaware that they have it. It is therefore essential to get yourself tested to make an early diagnosis. Experts estimate that if a person with pre-diabetes does not take any action such as a proper diet plan to address this problem, they run a high risk of developing type two diabetes within 10 years.



The bright side is that people diagnosed with pre-diabetes do not necessarily develop diabetes if appropriate lifestyle changes are made in time. These lifestyle changes include a well planned diabetic diet, regular exercise and constant monitoring and control of blood glucose levels. It needs to be mentioned that a proper diet plays a crucial role in the treatment of pre-diabetes.



If you have pre-diabetes and are keen to avoid type 2 diabetes, certain dietary changes are required. The main priority should be weight loss. A recent study has brought to light that losing 7% of body weight reduces the risk of a pre-diabetic person from developing type 2 diabetes by almost 58%. People who suffer from pre-diabetes have a high degree of insulin resistance. This further complicates the human body's capacity of dealing with carbohydrates. To tackle this issue, simple carbohydrates such as potatoes, white rice, and white bread should be replaced by whole meal bread, brown rice, whole grains and foods high in fiber. These whole foods are not only nutritionally rich but also produce lesser effects on insulin and blood sugar levels than their starchy counterparts.



It is also important to limit the amount of sweet desserts, especially the high-fat desserts. High sugar and fatty foods not only add calories but they may also cause a rapid rise in blood sugar levels. This rapid rise in the blood sugar levels can exert more pressure on the already over-burdened pancreas. Reducing the intake of saturated fat is also an important part of an ideal pre-diabetes diet. Saturated fats are not only high in calories, but they can also cause changes in blood fats that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of deaths in people with diabetes.



One of the best ways to reduce saturated fat is to replace a portion of your meat consumption with vegetable protein sources. There are many such sources which are low in fat such as tofu, beans, lentils etc. When these vegetables are prepared properly, they can make delicious and healthy substitutes.



It is essential to combine these dietary changes with at least 30 to 40 minutes of cardio and / or weight training for 3 to 4 times a week. Choose exercises that you like and do not be afraid to vary your routine to prevent monotony. A brisk walk works well for most people. Try changing your walking route to break the monotony. For example, try taking the stairs whenever possible. This can be a great form of exercise. These simple lifestyle changes can be sufficient to prevent pre-diabetes from progressing to type 2 diabetes.

What Is Pre-Diabetes?

Before one develops Type 2 diabetes, they will almost always develop pre-diabetes. This may be referred to as "borderline diabetes," which means that your blood sugar levels are higher than what is considered normal, but not so high that you can be diagnosed -- or treated -- for actual diabetes. Pre-diabetes may also be referred to as Impaired Glucose Tolerance or Impaired Fasting Glucose.



Pre-diabetes is more common than you may realize, with 54 million people affected in the United States alone. Aside from the fact that pre-diabetes leads to full-blown diabetes, a serious concern with pre-diabetes is that it starts doing the damage that diabetes typically does to the body -- but earlier. This includes damaging the heart and the circulatory system.



The good news is that while pre-diabetes is an indication that diabetes is developing, you can avoid actually developing full-blown diabetes, if you take preventative measures. These measures usually include eating healthy and losing 5 to 7 percent of your body weight. Of course,
physical activity is also important. You should be getting exercise for 30 minutes a day, five days a week.



In most cases, insurance will cover pre-diabetes testing. However, since a diagnosis of diabetes is not given, they may not cover testing supplies that you need in order to keep your blood sugar levels under control. Each insurance company, of course, is different, and you will need to contact your insurance carrier for more information.



Usually, only people who are over the age of 45 are tested for pre-diabetes, and they are usually overweight. However, if you are under the age of 45, you should also be tested. Testing may be needed if you have a family history of diabetes as well, or if you have other health conditions that often contribute to diabetes. Testing should be done about once every three years if any of these circumstances apply. If you are diagnosed with pre-diabetes, you should be tested for diabetes every year.

Reverse pre-diabetes with some simple steps

Pre-diabetes is also known as borderline diabetes. A blood sugar normal people would be between 70-100 mg/dl (milligrams per deciliter) when fasting. People with pre-diabetes have a blood sugar reading of 100-125 mg/dl above 125 mg/dl is considered diabetic.



Fortunately there are ways to help reverse this condition and are fairly simple, if you do them. The first is to get some activity in your daily life. Sedentary people build insulin resistance, which predisposes to pre-diabetes. Exercise and activities to improve insulin resistance and help you burn the sugar. Studies have also shown that exercise can help along with pre-diabetes, even if nothing else changes in your lifestyle, try to get about 30 minutes worth of walking, biking or swimming 4-5 times each week.



Smoking is a cause of serious diseases like heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and stroke. Also raises the risk of pre-diabetes. Quit smoking, you will do wonders for your health. There are many things available today to help you on your way.



Limit your consumption of alcohol. A moderate amount of alcohol has proven to help your health, but excessive drinking can increase the pre-diabetes to full blown type 2 diabetes. A drink a day can reduce the risk for diabetes but simply that.
The last thing is really common sense, eating more fruits and vegetables. You must obtain five or more servings per day of fruits and vegetables per day. This can reduce the risk of not only diabetes but some cardiovascular disease and stroke. This can also help with weight loss, which is also a precursor to diabetes.



Research has shown that a number of drugs have been used effectively to treat pre-diabetes, but none are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Metformin is the most promising, but must be used only for very high-risk people who have pre-diabetes and are severely overweight and between 35 and 60.