The National Diabetes Fact Sheet 2007 estimated that at least 57 million American adults aged 20 years or older had prediabetes. The cost of treating these pre-diabetic individuals is projected to be $25 billion. So even though you may not hear about prediabetes as often as other diseases, this condition is responsible for a significant part of U.S. health care costs. Although prediabetes puts you at greater risk of developing diabetes, the good news is the condition can be reversed.

Definition of Prediabetes

Prediabetes is characterized by blood sugar levels that are higher than normal, but are not high enough to be classified as diabetes. Individuals with prediabetes may have conditions known as Impaired Fasting Glucose (IFG), Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT), or possibly both. 

• IFG is a blood glucose level between 100 and 125 mg/dl when measured after an overnight fast

• IGT is a blood glucose level between 140 and 199 mg/dl two hours after a standard oral dose of glucose is administered

With both conditions, blood sugar readings are above normal but still below those seen in diabetic patients.

Usually, there are no noticeable symptoms associated with prediabetes. In some cases, people may exhibit a condition called acanthosis nigricans, which is either a dark ring around the neck or dark patches in other areas of the body such as the elbows, armpits, knuckles, and knees.

The most significant risk factor for prediabetes is excess weight. If you are overweight or obese and have quite a bit of fatty tissue around your abdomen, there is a greater chance of your cells becoming resistant to insulin – which can lead to prediabetes. This likelihood increases if you live a sedentary life without exercise. If medical tests reveal that your blood pressure is higher than 140/90 mm Hg, your good cholesterol is lower than 35mg/dl, and your bad cholesterol higher than 250 mg/dl, then your risks of developing prediabetes are heightened.

In addition, age can increase your risk of prediabetes. This is due to the fact that when you become older than 45, you are statistically more likely to become inactive, lose muscle, and gain weight. Genetics play a role as well. If your parents or siblings already have type 2 diabetes, your risk of becoming pre-diabetic is elevated.

Though the reasons are not known, African-Americans, Hispanics, American Indians, Asian-Americans, and Pacific Islanders are more likely to develop prediabetes than other ethnicities.

Women who develop diabetes during pregnancy and give birth to a baby of more than nine pounds are more likely to develop prediabetes later in life. Another risk factor specific to women is polycystic ovary syndrome, which is a condition characterized by high levels of male hormones, irregular periods, and numerous small cysts in the ovaries.

Recent studies have linked a lack of sleep to an increased resistance to insulin, which is a precursor to prediabetes. If you average less than five and a half hours of sleep per night, then your risk of developing prediabetes is quite high.

 

If you are diagnosed with prediabetes, here are some guidelines from the American College of Endocrinology on how to manage the condition:

• Get an annual glucose tolerance test to not only determine how quickly glucose is cleared from your blood, but also to look for proteins in your urine

• Get a semiannual test to check for Impaired Fasting Glucose and measure levels of good and bad cholesterol in the blood

• Reduce body weight by 5 to 10 percent

• Exercise for 30 to 60 minutes a day, five days a week

• Adopt a low-fat, high-fiber diet

• For high-risk patients (such as those with cardiovascular disease or high blood sugar levels), oral antidiabetic medications, such as metformin and acarbose, may be prescribed to help regulate glucose levels

• Ask your doctor about statins, which are medications that lower bad cholesterol, to see if you can benefit from them

• Maintain a systolic blood pressure below 130 mm Hg and a diastolic blood pressure below 80 mm Hg – check with your physician to see if you need medications to help you achieve this goal

The best way to prevent prediabetes is by making small changes to your lifestyle. If you are overweight or obese, you should try to lose 5 to 10 percent of your body weight by boosting your physical activity, adopting healthier eating habits, and reducing your caloric intake. When you burn more energy, you expend more glucose and improve your insulin resistance. Cutting down on fatty foods, increasing your fiber intake, and incorporating more vegetables and fresh fruits into your diet can also help you lower your risk of prediabetes.

Conclusion

Successful management of prediabetes begins by addressing its causes. You should take the necessary steps to control your weight by exercising regularly, making better food choices, and embracing a healthy lifestyle. Reduce or eliminate tobacco, alcohol, or caffeine from your normal routine. Consult your doctor frequently and follow his or her advice to keep your blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose levels under control. Most importantly, remember that the deterioration of your health is not a foregone conclusion. You can take control of your life and avoid diabetes.