Pre Diabetes
The medical condition known as pre-diabetes can be considered a warning sign that the individual is at a higher risk of developing diabetes. What is pre-diabetes? What are the symptoms of pre-diabetes?
Pre-diabetes is usually considered to be a silent condition in which the physical symptoms might be absent. Taking into consideration aspects like the patient’s family history of diabetes, age, height, weight, size of the baby if the patient has delivered a child, and level of physical activity involved in the patient’s lifestyle, a doctor will decide whether the patient needs to be tested for pre-diabetes. Confirming pre-diabetes is possible only by taking a blood test.
More about Pre-Diabetes, Insulin Resistance, and Obesity
If the patient is obese and following an unhealthy diet or leading sedentary life, then chances is high that person may develop pre-diabetes. This is because insulin resistance in the body which is fueled by lack of fitness creates glucose and insulin imbalances in blood stream. When this occurs, the body develops pre-diabetes.
This condition, if left unchecked, could result in Type 2 diabetes which can only be managed but not entirely reversed. However, by knowing about pre-diabetes symptoms, it’s possible to prevent obesity and insulin resistance by following a nutritious diet and getting regular exercise.
The link between insulin resistance, obesity, and pre-diabetes is quite complex. This is because while being overweight could lead to insulin resistance in the body, but the process could also happen in reverse. Sometimes, insulin resistance in the body leads to excessive weight gain. This condition when allowed to grow makes the insulin resistance worse and causes the onset of pre-diabetes.
Insulin resistance is not just linked with diabetes. It can also lead to other serious health complications like polycystic ovarian syndrome, metabolic syndrome X, and other cardiovascular diseases.
Pre-Diabetes Symptoms
As mentioned earlier, most often than not pre-diabetes does not exhibit any stark symptoms. This makes it all the more difficult for you to determine whether or not to go for a pre-diabetes test. Here is a list of few pre-diabetes symptoms that the patient might want to be aware of, especially if the person is in the high risk category. It’s important to remember these symptoms might be very mild when someone is developing pre-diabetes:
- Changing patterns in appetite.
- Tendency to urinate more frequently.
- Low energy levels during the day.
- Excessive sweating, nausea, or fainting spells.
- Lethargy and unwillingness to participate in physical activity.
- Increased thirst.
These pre-diabetes symptoms are only a few among several changes people might experience while they develop pre-diabetes. The best approach to deal with pre-diabetes would be to have regular doctor physicals to be sure the patient is healthy and within the normal range. People who are at risk might always want to remember that prevention is better than cure.