When the body receives this signal, it is nine times out of ten that it is a precursor to “diabetes”, so don’t miss it again.

Prediabetes is a wake-up call that you can easily develop diabetes. But it’s not too late to turn things around.

If you are also a person with prediabetes, your blood sugar (glucose) level is higher than normal but not within the standard range for diabetes. People used to call it “borderline diabetes.”

Normally, the body secretes a hormone called insulin to help control blood sugar. When you have prediabetes, this system doesn’t work properly.

You may not be producing enough insulin after eating, or your body may not respond to insulin abnormally.

Prediabetes can make you more susceptible to heart attack or stroke, but there are steps you can take to reduce these risks.

Image source: Zhanku Hailuo

I. Diagnosis

The doctor will do one of the following simple blood tests for you:

Fasting blood glucose test: No food for 8 hours before this test.

The test results are as follows:

Glucose below 100 mg/dL, normal;

Glucose between 100 and 125 mg/dL, prediabetes;

Glucose of 126 mg/d or above, diabetes.

Oral Glucose Tolerance Test: First, you’ll have a fasting blood sugar test.

Next, drink a glass of the sugary solution. After 2 hours, another blood test is done.

The results are as follows:

After the second test, the blood sugar was below 140 mg/dL, normal;

After second test, blood glucose between 140 and 199 mg/dL, pre-diabetic;

After the second test, blood sugar is 200 mg/dL or above, diabetes.

A1c test: This test gives your blood sugar level for the past 2 to 3 months.

Your doctor can use this to diagnose whether you have prediabetes or diabetes. If you already know you have diabetes, this test can be used to see if your blood sugar is under control.

Image source: Zhanku Hailuo

The results are as follows:

Normal: less than 5.6%;

Prediabetes: 5.7% to 6.4%;

Diabetes: 6.5% or more.

You may need to take the test again to confirm the results.

2. Immediately change your lifestyle

Lifestyle changes can help people delay or prevent the transition from prediabetes to diabetes.

In a large study of the Diabetes Prevention Program, making the following changes lowered the chances of developing diabetes:

Control your weight. Obese people face a higher risk of prediabetes turning into diabetes. Losing even just 5% to 10% of excess body weight can go a long way.

Strengthening exercise. Studies have shown that moderate exercise, such as cycling, swimming, and brisk walking, for around 30 minutes a day can help prevent and manage diabetes.

It is best to do regular aerobic exercise that will get your heart rate to your target level. If you lack energy, remember to consult your doctor first.

Balanced nutrition. Eat lots of low-fat protein, vegetables, and whole grains.

Image source: Zhanku Hailuo