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Writer's pictureLifeTree World
Mar 9

Pre-diabetes – Should you be Worried?



Diabetes is a chronic (long-lasting) health condition that affects how the body turns food into energy. It results in too much sugar in the blood (high blood glucose) and if remained uncontrolled, it creates havoc in one’s life.

There are mainly 2 kinds of diabetes:

  • Type 1 diabetes: where your immune system destroys insulin-producing cells in your pancreas

  • Type 2 diabetes: where either your body does not respond properly to insulin (insulin resistance), or it produces adequate insulin

During pregnancy, some women may experience high levels of blood sugar. This is known as gestational diabetes.

Prediabetes is a stage before diabetes where blood sugars are higher than it should be but not enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. A borderline case – as we call it. Research shows that almost every type 2 diabetic person had Prediabetes before being diagnosed for diabetes.

However, one shouldn’t be fooled by the word “Pre”. Prediabetes is also a serious health condition. It puts one at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart diseases, stroke etc. The dangerous part of Prediabetic condition is that it is mostly symptomless. It is a point or a condition when one should get careful and make required changes in lifestyle.

Symptoms to look out for Pre-diabetics

As discussed, prediabetes doesn’t usually have signs and can be symptomless. However, people with certain health and lifestyle conditions need to look out for symptoms like:

  • Being overweight/obese

  • Having a large waist size

      .    For men > 40”

      .    For women > 35”

  • Being 45 years or older

  • Having a parent or sibling with type 2 Diabetes

  • Being physically inactive (not exercising for at least 3 days a week)

  • History of gestational diabetes (Diabetes during pregnancy)

  • History of PCOS

  • Sleep problem, work in changing shifts or night shifts

  • History of heart disease

There are some symptoms that go unnoticed but can provide an indication of an underlying condition:

  • Darkened areas of skin

  • Trouble concentrating

  • Experiencing fatigue or hunger than usual

  • Frequent urination

All these symptoms predict insulin resistance. Insulin is produced by a gland located behind the stomach called the pancreas. Pancreas sends insulin to blood while eating. When blood sugar level starts to drop, the pancreas slows down the secretion of insulin into the blood. During pre-diabetes, this process doesn't work as well as it should. As a result, instead of fueling cells, sugar builds up in the bloodstream. This can happen because:

  • Pancreas may not make enough insulin

  • Cells become resistant to insulin and don't allow as much sugar in

Whatever be the reason, it leads to higher-than-normal sugar levels in the blood, thus, graduating a person to type-2 diabetes.

Should you be Worried?

Pre-diabetes has been linked with long-term damage to heart, blood vessels and kidneys, even if it doesn't progress to type 2 diabetes. Pre-diabetes is also linked to unrecognized (silent) heart attacks. If remained uncontrolled or left untreated, it can become Type 2 Diabetes or cause other serious problems including:

  • Kidney disease

  • Blindness

  • High BP

  • Nerve problems (Neuropathy)

  • Loss of limb

Some studies also show that pre-diabetic people can suffer from coronary artery disease and diastolic heart failure even before progressing to overt diabetes.

 

All is NOT Lost

With few lifestyle changes, regular health check-ups and being aware of what’s going inside one’s body, one can dodge unexpected complications. These conditions can be delayed and even prevented. Some simple lifestyle changes that can alter the path for prediabetes are:

  • Keeping weight in control

  • Regular physical activity like 30 minutes of regular exercise or even brisk walking helps

  • Managing stress, anxiety and staying motivated

  • Controlling blood pressure and cholesterol

  • Giving up smoking

Ayurveda also offers a comprehensive approach to managing pre-diabetes, focusing on a combination of dietary changes, natural remedies, and lifestyle modifications. Some Ayurvedic medicine for diabetes like Lifetree Diabesity Care are the best ayurvedic medicine that are made from natural herbs like neem, jamun, vijaysar, amla etc. and promote good health by controlling blood sugar levels, maintaining proper weight, increasing energy levels and checking cholesterol levels.  However, it's essential to note that while these remedies can be supportive, they are not replacements for conventional medical treatments. Always consult with both an Ayurvedic practitioner and a medical doctor before making changes to any diabetes treatment plan.

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