Prediabetes is an illness that many people worry about as they age. It is a common thought that those who are showing signs of prediabetes are more likely to develop diabetes later, whether this be type I or type II. And this thought would be correct!
However, it should be noted that there are those people who never develop diabetes even though they may show prediabetes signs and symptoms.
Prediabetes is defined as a condition that results in slightly elevated blood glucose levels.
When a person has this, it is indicative that they are at a high risk of progressing into full blown diabetes.
Therefore, this illness is a well-researched illness that many people want to make themselves aware of now, rather than later.
Why Know Signs of Prediabetes?
Since this is prediabetes, many people wonder how it can be helpful to know the signs and symptoms of this illness, there is one main reason.
Knowing if you have prediabetes now, can allow you to make life changes to ensure that this does not go into diabetes if at all possible.
It can also allow you to be aware of what the future may hold. This way you can start talking with a doctor about a treatment plan that is not going to interfere with your life, but will help with processing sugars as they should be.
The Signs of Prediabetes
The problem with watching out for prediabetes in a person is that there are generally no signs or symptoms that a person can think of and then automatically assume that they have prediabetes.
There are some classic signs that may showcase you have issues. These signs include:
- Increased thirst
- Frequent urination
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- You may have sores or cuts that are not healing as fast as they once did
- Discoloration of the skin around the elbows, knees, neck, armpits, or even the knuckles
However, many of these signs can be dismissed as something to do with other illnesses.
For example, perhaps your vision is blurry if it is a time to get new glasses. Perhaps your frequent urination is due to drinking more water. These are all considerations that must be made.
Who is at Risk for Prediabetes?
For anyone who has been told that they are at risk for type II diabetes, then they are more than likely at risk for prediabetes as well.
Some of the risk factors associated with this illness includes:
- If you are overweight, as this makes cells more resistant to insulin.
- If your waist size is rather large, then you may find that you are at increased chance of developing this.
- Eating lots of meat and sugary drinks can increase your chances of develop prediabetes.
- The less active you are, the greater the chance of having prediabetes.
- The chances of prediabetes increase after the age of 45. However, anyone of any age can be affected by this!
- If you have a parent or sibling with Type II diabetes, this increases your chances.
- Your race can play a role, as it has been found that certain races like Asian, African American, Hispanics, Native Americans and Pacific Islanders are more likely to develop prediabetes.
- If you are a woman who was pregnant and developed gestational diabetes, then you are at a higher risk of developing prediabetes. The same can be said if you have given birth to a baby that weighed more than 9 pounds.
- If you have certain sleep disorders like sleep apnea, work swing shifts and have other issues of sleep are more prone to develop prediabetes.
- If you have high blood pressure, low levels of the good cholesterol and high levels of triglycerides in the blood, you are at an increased risk for prediabetes.
How to Control Prediabetes Now?
If you have risk factors and are showing signs that you do have prediabetes, then what can you do now?
The idea is to avoid this developing into full blown diabetes, as this can lead to several other life threatening issues.
The main idea is that you must change your way of life. Here are some suggested changes that can make a different in how far this disease progresses:
- Eat a diet that is rich in fiber
- Exercise regulatory to help get your weight under control
- Have a goal of losing weight?
- Take medications that the doctor may prescribe for you
- Consider a diet that is also low in carbs
- Eat more fruits and fish
- Try to avoid alcohol at all costs
- Try to avoid foods that are high in sugar
With here is a diet plan that you could follow:
Incorporate these types of foods into your diet:
- Steel cut oats
- Stone-ground whole wheat bread
- Non-starchy vegetables
- Beans
- Sweet potatoes
- Corn
- Whole wheat pasta
Eat more fiber rich foods such as:
- Beans and legumes
- Fruits and vegetables with edible skins
- Whole grain breads
- Quinoa or barley
- Whole grain cereals
Only one alcohol drink per day is allowed, most medical professionals would prefer no alcohol drinks
Eat leans meats like:
- Chicken without the skin
- Egg substitutes
- Soybean products like tofu
- Fish: cod, haddock, flounder or tuna
- Flank steak, ground round, tenderloin and roast
- Shellfish like crab, shrimp, scallops
- Turkey without the skin
- Low fat Greek yogurt
Prediabetes does not have to be something that progresses to full blown diabetes.
The idea is to get this under control now so that you can live a longer life without the issues that come along with diabetes.
Remember, complications of diabetes can include heart diseases, heart attacks, increased likelihood of stroke and other life changing issues.
If you show signs of prediabetes, it is best to get this under control now! If you have signs, then it is time to see your doctor.
