Prediabetes is the condition that precedes type 2 diabetes, when the blood sugar level already exceeds the upper limit of what is considered normal, but does not yet reach the threshold for the diagnosis of diabetes. With early detection, it is possible to delay or even stop the development of diabetes, with the help of lifestyle changes and, if necessary, medication.
The types of prediabetes are elevated fasting blood glucose (IFG) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). According to some surveys, 25-35% of the adult population may be affected by the disease, but this rate increases with age, so it can even reach 45-50% over the age of 65.
Symptoms
Elevated blood sugar levels often have no symptoms at all, but if they do, they can easily be confused with complaints caused by other diseases, which is why prediabetes is difficult to diagnose. However, it is worth consulting a doctor if you experience increased thirst, dry mouth, more frequent urge to urinate as a result of increased fluid intake, as well as abdominal obesity, fatigue, sleep disorders, or blurred vision during your daily life.
Diagnosis
Most routine tests only monitor the fasting sugar level, but in many cases this does not provide a complete picture of the state of carbohydrate metabolism, so it is worth taking part in a glucose load test (OGTT), which also shows how the body reacts when consuming a large amount of sugar . Recognizing prediabetes is extremely important, since persistently elevated blood sugar levels are associated with an increased cardiovascular risk, thus increasing the chance of developing cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease, heart failure, or stroke, and can also lead to kidney problems and impaired vision. According to estimates, in our country approx. one and a half to two million people suffer from diabetes or conditions that precede the development of the disease.
How to avoid diabetes and its complications?
Bar more and more data prove that the treatment of prediabetes through lifestyle and, if necessary, with medication is not only the treatment of diabetes, but ultimately it can also reduce the risk of cardiovascular complications, yet the number of diabetics increases every year. With a personalized diet and regular exercise, the chance of developing diabetes can be reduced by up to 50-60%, which is why it is important to visit a dietician as soon as possible if you are diagnosed with prediabetes.
The consumption of refined sugars and foods made from white flour should be avoided, instead it is worth including products made from whole grains and alternative flours in the diet. The “lost” carbohydrates can be replaced with more vegetables and protein, in the case of the latter it is important to prefer white meats, such as chicken, turkey and fish, because in addition to being excellent sources of protein, they have a lower fat content than red meat.
Regular exercise also greatly contributes to the normalization of blood sugar levels. When treating prediabetes, the so-called aerobic training types are recommended, the essence of which is that the heart rate does not rise above the fat-burning zone. Aerobic exercise can be, for example, brisk walking, jogging, cycling, or a more strenuous hike, but gym training can also be done as aerobic exercise. In each case, it is worth asking for the help of a specialist to create the right, personalized training plan!
Treatment options
It may happen that lifestyle changes prove to be insufficient and therapeutic treatment is necessary in order to achieve the appropriate blood sugar level. It is important to consult your doctor even in the case of seemingly insignificant symptoms, as the chance of permanent health damage can be greatly reduced by early detection of the disease and determining the appropriate treatment method!
Source: www.patikamagazin.hu
