Prediabetes: Recognize the Symptoms, Dangers, and How to Handle It
Have you ever heard of the term prediabetes? The condition of prediabetes is the beginning of diabetes. If not treated as early and as well as possible, prediabetes can turn into diabetes and eventually can no longer be cured.
Wow, how can prediabetes turn into diabetes huh? Can prediabetes be cured? Bumame will discuss it in full, starting from the definition of prediabetes to how to overcome it.
What Is Prediabetes?
Prediabetes is a condition when blood sugar in the body is above normal limits, but not enough to be categorized as type 2 diabetes mellitus. Without changes in diet and proper medication, prediabetes will get worse and become type 2 diabetes mellitus.
The most common cause of prediabetes is excessive consumption of high-sugar foods and an inactive body. As a result, the hormone insulin, which is useful for helping glucose enter the body’s cells and produce energy, cannot work optimally. Over time, blood sugar will increase.
Normal fasting blood sugar levels are around 99 mg/dL or less, while hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) is below 70 mg/dL.
The blood sugar level of a person with prediabetes is in the range of 100 to 125 mg/dL. Once blood glucose levels reach above 125 mg/dL, then a person will enter the stage of type 2 diabetes.
Is Prediabetes Similar to Diabetes?
There are significant differences between prediabetes and diabetes. Prediabetes is not the same as diabetes. Someone with prediabetes can still recover with early treatment and changes to a healthier lifestyle.
But when someone already has type 2 diabetes mellitus, then that person will live with type 2 diabetes forever.
It is also important to underline that diabetes is divided into two types, namely:
Type 1 diabetes mellitus is caused by an autoimmune reaction that interferes with the body’s insulin production and cannot be prevented.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus is caused by an unhealthy lifestyle and consumption of foods high in sugar. Type 2 diabetes can still be prevented by maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
So, prediabetes will not change to type 1 diabetes mellitus, but will change to type 2 diabetes.
Prediabetes Trigger Factors
Prediabetes can happen to anyone, but there are certain factors that trigger it. Research reveals that prediabetes is closely related to lifestyle factors and genetic factors. Here are some other trigger factors:
Age. People who are over 45 years old have a high risk of prediabetes
Weight. Someone with a body mass index or body mass index (BMI) of more than 25 also has the potential to suffer from prediabetes
Unhealthy diet. Intense consumption of red meat, processed meats, and sugary drinks can increase blood sugar in the body
Rarely move or exercise
There are family members with a history of type 2 diabetes
Be an active smoker. Studies explain that smoking can also increase waist size due to fat accumulation and eventually trigger blood sugar to rise
Specifically for women, have experienced gestational diabetes (diabetes that only appears during pregnancy until delivery) or gave birth to a baby weighing more than 4 kg
Having certain medical conditions such as sleep apnea, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol or triglyceride levels may be associated with a risk of insulin resistance and prediabetes
