What is prediabetes?
People with type 2 diabetes almost always have prediabetes first; this means that they have higher than normal blood glucose (sugar) levels, but that those levels are not high enough to be classified as diabetes. Prediabetes is therefore a good indicator to assess a person’s risk of developing the disease in the future.
What causes prediabetes?
The following are the main risk factors for developing prediabetes include an unhealthy lifestyle factors, such as being overweight, poor diet, low activity and smoking and a family history of diabetes.
Preventing prediabetes
In most cases prediabetes is preventable. Making good lifestyle choices and incorporating healthy eating, exercising and stopping smoking are the best ways to actively prevent the occurrence of prediabetes. Unlike type 2 diabetes, prediabetes can be reversed. However, if prediabetes isn’t treated, it can develop into type 2 diabetes, which is incurable.
How is prediabetes treated?
Prediabetes is treated as a preventable disease and patient education is the primary treatment; this includes detailed information about diet, exercise and making healthy choices. Adapting your lifestyle is the most effective treatment for prediabetes. The aim is to diagnose and treat this condition as early as possible, to prevent the development of type 2 diabetes. Find out how to make an appointment at a HMC hospital or clinic if you are concerned you may be prediabetic.
From prediabetes to diabetes
Prediabetes is the first step of a progressive disease. If left untreated it can develop further into type 2 diabetes, which is then incurable. There are a range of health complications associated with type 2 as it progresses further, such as increased risk of heart disease, stroke, nerve damage and vision problems.
