According to a 2023 report presented by ICMR, over 100 million individuals in India are diabetic and 136 million prediabetic. Yet more than 50 per cent of them are unaware of their diabetic or prediabetic status, which means that they are unable to change their lifestyle to manage the condition.If you are unaware that you have diabetes or are at risk of developing it, then you are likely not making any changes to ward off the disease.

 

Understanding your health status, paying attention to any remarkable changes in your bodies, learning what the symptoms indicate and actively listening to your bodies are essential to protect ourselves from potential health conditions and risks such as prediabetes.

 

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 A person doesn’t develop type 2 diabetes in just a day or two, rather, it’s a gradual process that develops due to lifestyle choices. Prediabetes is a condition where an individual’s blood sugar is higher than normal, but not high enough to be considered as type 2 diabetes. In simpler terms, prediabetes is a warning stage for an individual, where they can reverse the condition with lifestyle changes.

 

In prediabetes, the body’s cells become resistant to insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps regulate blood sugar (glucose) levels and as a result glucose is produced in the blood instead of being absorbed by the cells for energy. Although the cause of insulin resistance leading to prediabetes is poorly understood, but is often linked to a combination of genetics, lifestyle choices and obesity.

 

You are prediabetic if your fasting blood sugar levels fall between 100 and 125 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or when haemoglobin A1c levels (a measure of average blood sugar of over the past three months) range from 5.7 per cent to 6.4 per cent.

 

According to a 2022 study by the American Heart Association, lifestyle changes and medications were effective in preventing or delaying the development of Type 2 diabetes among adults with prediabetes who participated in the Diabetes Prevention Program. Uncontrolled prediabetes often develops into full-blown diabetes. However, it can be difficult to determine if you have this borderline condition without getting a blood test, as it often has no symptoms. However, there are certain changes and patterns that can help you take prudent and timely actions. Keep reading to learn more about the symptoms of prediabetes.

 

Related Post: Keep Diabetes Under Check: How To Stop Diabetes Before It Starts

 

Symptoms of Prediabetes

Increased Thirst

Are you reaching for a glass of water more often than before? Excessive thirst, even after drinking, can be a subtle and early sign of prediabetes. When your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, your body tries to flush out the excess sugar by producing and flushing out more urine. As a result, you may have a constant feeling of thirst. It’s your body’s way of signalling that it needs more water to cope with the imbalance.

 

Frequent Urination

When your blood sugar levels are high, your kidneys work hard to filter and eliminate excess sugar from your blood. This increased workload can cause you to produce more urine, causing you to go to the bathroom more often. If you’ve noticed noticeable changes in your urinary habits, especially if it’s accompanied by other possible symptoms like persistent thirst or fatigue, it could be an indication that your body is trying to alert you to a potential underlying condition.

 

Blurry Vision

According to various studies, more than 5 per cent of individuals dealing with prediabetes have diabetic retinopathy. It is a condition in which elevated blood sugar levels can affect the lens and blood vessels in the retina. Other accompanying symptoms could be seeing dark or floating spots, trouble reading or driving and colour vision deficiency.

 

Unusual Tiredness

Unusual fatigue can be a symptom of various health conditions, such as stress, lack of sleep, poor nutrition, and dehydration and while this may not be exclusive to prediabetes, it can be associated with it. Fatigue can be caused by the body having difficulty using insulin properly, leaving the cells without enough energy. Also, prediabetes involves higher-than-normal blood sugar levels. These levels can fluctuate, causing periods of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Both extremes can contribute to feelings of fatigue.

 

Acanthosis Nigricans

Acanthosis nigricans is a skin disorder characterised by dark, thick and velvety skin, usually seen in patches and bumps in areas such as knees, elbows, armpits, knuckles, side and back of the neck. Although it can occur for a variety of reasons, the most common association is with insulin resistance, a major cause of prediabetes. Insulin resistance can lead to increased insulin levels in the blood. This can stimulate skin cell growth, making acanthosis nigricans characteristic.

 

Related Post: 9 Tips to Reverse Prediabetes Naturally

 

Other Prediabetic Symptoms

• Sores or cuts that won’t heal
• Numbness and tingling feeling, especially on feet, toes, hands and fingers 
• Unintended weight loss
• Dry mouth
• Frequent skin infections
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Drowsiness
• Confusion

 

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Recognising the symptoms of prediabetes is the first step in preventing it from progressing to type 2 diabetes. If you notice any of these symptoms, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and blood sugar analysis. Lifestyle changes, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, and weight maintenance can significantly reduce the risk of developing diabetes and improve overall well-being. If detected early and with proactive intervention individuals can take control of their health and make informed choices for a better diabetes-free future.

 

Regular health checks are essential for everyone, but they are particularly important for individuals who are at risk of or already have prediabetes. Taking regular health checks can help detect prediabetes at an early stage when it is easier to manage and treat. With the UR.Life HRA, we help you to invest in your well-being through seamless interventions and targeted medical treatments. Our holistic wellness approach caters to all aspects of your well-being. We ensure that you can bring your whole self to work.

With our medical professionals by your side, routine health check-ups will never be an issue. Advanced laboratory technologies back UR.Life’s Occupational Health Centers (OHC), and with highly qualified experts/technicians, we’re committed to delivering trusted and quality recommendations, modifications and advice to you.