Warning Signs of Prediabetes

Statistics reveal that almost 54 million adults in the U.S.A. have been diagnosed with prediabetes and the number continues to increase. Prediabetes is a condition wherein the blood sugar levels of a person are higher than normal, but not as high as they are in diabetes. Usually, a person having blood sugar level between 100-125 milligrams per deciliter is considered to be suffering from prediabetes. However, if the blood sugar level is 120 mg/dL in more than 2 occasions, the person is considered to be suffering from diabetes. Being pre-diabetic means that the person is suffering from impaired glucose tolerance. Most of the people suffering from prediabetes don't even realize that they have this condition because many times there are no significant signs and symptoms for the same. However, there are many risk factors associated with the condition that can actually help you figure where you stand. Unlike diabetes, which is a chronic condition and cannot be treated, prediabetes on the other hand is completely controllable and can actually be stopped from converting into type 2 diabetes. This can be done by bringing necessary changes in your lifestyle and habits.

Symptoms of Prediabetes

As mentioned earlier, most of the people suffering from prediabetes are not even aware that they have it. However, if you come from a family which has a history of diabetes, especially your immediate family like your parents or siblings, then there are high chances that you might be suffering from prediabetes already. Another major risk factor of prediabetes is being overweight and having an apple shaped body, which means, if your body mass index is more than 25, and you have fat around your abdomen and waist, then there are high chances for you to be suffering from prediabetes. Living a very inactive lifestyle and consuming a lot of high cholesterol and sodium based food can also add on to the risk factors. Mentioned below are some of the most commonly known warning signs of prediabetes.

Wounds and Infections take Long Time to Heal
If you have had certain wounds and infections that are taking more than usual time to heal and cure, this might be an indication that you might be suffering from prediabetes. Even when it comes to diabetes, even the minor cuts and wounds can prove to be very bothersome due to the inability to heal and become more severe if medical attention isn't given.

Feeling Thirsty All the Time
It is good to drink loads of water, however, if you feel like drinking water all the time due to constant thirst, then this might be one of the signs of prediabetes. When the sugar levels in the body are higher than usual, the body demands more fluid to maintain a balance in the glucose levels because it is not able to burn the sugar with the amount of insulin available in the body which ends up making the person feel more thirsty.

Feeling Weak and Tired
A person may suffer from fatigue because of the drop in the blood sugar levels. Due to this, the body feels low on energy giving rise to symptoms like fatigue and weakness. So if you get tired way too easily and are not able to understand why, get yourself checked for prediabetes.

Urinating Way Too Much
One of the warning signs mentioned earlier was drinking too much of water. So, if your body will consume a lot of water, it will also excrete a lot of water, right? Therefore, another classic symptom of impaired glucose tolerance is excessive urination.

Blurred Vision
Blurred vision can be a result of the high levels of glucose levels in the body. In fact, because a person suffering with diabetes is unable to secrete adequate amount of insulin in order to bind the glucose into energy, the glucose stays in the blood which can actually damage the blood vessels and nerves. Which is why uncontrolled diabetes can lead to blindness as well.

Darkened Areas of the Skin
This condition is also known as acanthosis nigricans wherein the areas of the body including the armpits, neck, knees and even your knuckles get excessively dark. Though this isn't a common sign, it can definitely be considered as one of the few warning signs of prediabetes.

They say that prediabetes can lead to type 2 diabetes in a person within the next 10 years. However, the good news is that all these signs and symptoms can be controlled and one can stop prediabetes from getting converted into diabetes. If you can associate with any of the aforementioned warning signs and want to know how to prevent prediabetes, then it would be advisable to get in touch with your healthcare specialist as soon as possible. After checking your symptoms your doctor would generally take necessary steps to control your symptoms. This includes following a prediabetes diet plan, constant exercising, controlling your weight, cholesterol, blood pressure, stress levels, etc., and living a healthy lifestyle. You can avoid being a diabetic for the rest of your life if you start working towards living a healthy lifestyle from now on.