Prediabetes is a medical condition, which, if left untreated, can lead to more severe health issues, including diabetes mellitus (type 2 diabetes), which is a chronic condition that affects all parts of the body. You may be thinking whether you have any prediabetes symptoms or not. In this blog, we will share signs of prediabetes to look out for, the causes of prediabetes, and tips on managing the condition.
Prediabetes is a health condition that is characterised by higher-than-normal blood sugar levels but not high enough for the person to be diagnosed with diabetes. Prediabetes can go undiagnosed as it does not cause any noticeable symptoms. If not managed in time, it can lead to diabetes. Since it is possible for you to have prediabetes without being aware of it, doctors recommend that those with known risk factors should regularly—at least once a year—test their blood sugar levels.
Prediabetes is known by other names too:
Prediabetes usually doesn’t cause any symptoms. However, you may notice the following:
Prediabetes can also affect children. Thus, if your child is experiencing any of the prediabetes symptoms, get them checked for the condition after consulting with their paediatrician.
Women with this condition may additionally notice the following prediabetes symptoms:
Insulin resistance is usually the culprit behind prediabetes. Insulin is produced by your pancreas, and it enables sugar (from the food you eat) to enter cells and consequently reduce blood sugar levels. When your body develops insulin resistance, it can’t utilise the insulin produced in the body properly and blood sugar levels continue to rise. Another prediabetes cause could be that the body is producing less insulin than is required. If the body doesn’t have insulin, the sugar in the blood will not be able to enter all cells; thus, leading to slightly elevated blood sugar levels.
India is often referred to as the ‘Diabetes Capital of the World.’ This is because Indians account for nearly 17% of the world’s diabetes patients. Thus, Indians are advised to regularly monitor their blood sugar levels, especially if they have any of the risk factors mentioned above.
Your doctor will likely recommend any of the following tests to check whether you have prediabetes:
A blood sample is tested right after you wake up to check sugar levels.
In this test, you give a blood sample on an empty stomach and another sample 2 hours after consuming a sugary beverage.
HbA1c or glycated haemoglobin test shows average blood sugar levels for the last 2-3 months.
The following preventive measures are recommended for people with prediabetes and individuals at high-risk of developing diabetes:
Keep weight in check
Reduce waist measurements; ideal recommendations for waist size to lower the risk of prediabetes is 35 inches for women and 40 inches for men.
If you have a high risk of developing prediabetes, leading a healthy lifestyle can help prevent it. To avoid developing prediabetes, consume a variety of healthy foods rich with micronutrients and increase your physical activity.
The following tips may help in lowering your risk of getting this condition:
Prohance D is an excellent protein powder for diabetics for managing your prediabetes symptoms. Include this health supplement in your diet for the following benefits:
Now that you understand what the symptoms of prediabetes are and how it is caused, do get yourself tested. If you have prediabetes, your doctor will recommend necessary lifestyle changes to help you prevent diabetes.
Consider including Prohance D in your daily diet as it is one of the best protein powders for diabetics. You can enjoy sustained energy throughout the day by consuming this health supplement. This protein powder contains a blend of 3 different types of proteins, MUFA, and healthy fats to help improve your overall health as well. If you are unsure about starting a health supplement, consult with your doctor about including Prohance D in your diet.
