Prediabetes occurs when your blood sugar level is higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be classified as type 2 diabetes. This condition serves as a warning that without lifestyle changes, both adults and children are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
According to research by Front Public Health, there is a 13.2% prevalence rate of prediabetes in Nigeria. This means up to 28.8 million Nigerians might have prediabetes.
Prediabetes and Its Impact
If you have prediabetes, the long-term damage of diabetes—particularly to your heart, blood vessels, and kidneys—may already be underway. However, there’s good news: progression from prediabetes to type 2 diabetes isn’t inevitable. With timely intervention, many people can return their blood sugar levels to a normal range.
Lifestyle changes such as eating healthier, incorporating daily physical activity, and maintaining a healthy weight can help bring blood sugar levels back to normal. The same strategies that help adults prevent type 2 diabetes can also benefit children with elevated blood sugar levels.
Symptoms
Prediabetes often presents without noticeable symptoms. However, some individuals may develop darkened skin on certain parts of the body, including the neck, armpits, or groin—an early sign of insulin resistance. Other symptoms, which may indicate progression to type 2 diabetes, include:
- Increased thirst
- Frequent urination
- Increased hunger
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Numbness or tingling in the feet or hands
- Frequent infections
- Slow-healing sores
- Unintended weight loss
Risk Factors
The risk factors for prediabetes mirror those of type 2 diabetes. These include:
- Weight and Waist Size: Being overweight, especially with excess fat around the abdomen, increases insulin resistance. A waist size over 40 inches for men and 35 inches for women increases risk .
- Diet: Consuming red meat, processed foods, and sugar-sweetened beverages is linked to a higher risk of developing prediabetes .
- Inactivity: Physical inactivity contributes significantly to the likelihood of developing insulin resistance.
- Age: The risk of prediabetes increases significantly after age 35.
- Family History: Having a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes raises your risk.
- Ethnicity: Black, Hispanic, American Indian, and Asian American populations are disproportionately affected by prediabetes.
- Medical History: Conditions such as gestational diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome, and sleep apnea are associated with a higher risk of prediabetes.
- Smoking and Other Conditions: Smoking and conditions like high blood pressure, low HDL (“good”) cholesterol, high triglycerides, and metabolic syndrome also increase the risk.
Complications of Prediabetes
Even before type 2 diabetes fully develops, prediabetes can lead to significant health issues. It is linked to long-term damage to the heart, blood vessels, and kidneys, and is associated with silent heart attacks. If untreated, prediabetes can progress to type 2 diabetes, with the possibility of causing complications such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, nerve damage, and even amputations.
Prevention Strategies
Healthy lifestyle choices can help prevent prediabetes and its progression to type 2 diabetes, even if diabetes runs in your family. These include:
- Healthy Diet: Opt for whole grains, lean proteins, and fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Regular Physical Activity: Engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week.
- Weight Management: Losing even a small percentage of body weight (5-7%) can significantly reduce the risk.
- Quit Smoking: Smoking increases insulin resistance and raises the risk of complications.
When to See a Doctor
If you’re concerned about your risk of diabetes or are experiencing any symptoms mentioned above, speak with a healthcare provider. Blood sugar screenings can help determine if you’re at risk, particularly if you have multiple risk factors.
Moving Forward
While the journey from prediabetes to type 2 diabetes is concerning, it is by no means unavoidable. Simple yet effective lifestyle changes, healthy eating, regular physical activity, and weight management—can make a tremendous difference.
If you or a loved one is facing prediabetes, seeking early intervention is key. CareValue Health offers comprehensive programs to help individuals make the necessary lifestyle changes to manage their blood sugar levels effectively and prevent the progression to type 2 diabetes. Take charge of your health today.
Prevention is not only possible, but also within your control.