How to Tell If Your Pre-Diabetic

Pre-diabetic and what it means. The signs of prediabetes.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. You have just been told by your doctor that you are pre-diabetic, you’re wondering what it means to you. Actually it means your blood level is higher than normal, but you’re not severe enough to be classified as type-2 diabetic. It also means you are at risk of developing type-2 diabetes, and could have heart disease and stroke.
   
   According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention it is estimated that 41 million people 40-74 have pre-diabetic conditions. The Academy of Pediatrics reports one in 10 males, and twenty-five females between twelve- nineteen have pre-diabetes.
   
   With prevention pre-diabetes doesn’t have to turn into type-2 diabetes. There are often no signs, but watch for the red flags often associated with type 2 diabetes. The main clue is excessive thirst and urination.
2. Other Signs And Symptoms
   
   • Constant hunger
   • Unexplained weight loss
   • Weight gain
   • Flu-like symptoms, including weakness and fatigue
   • Blurred vision
   • Slow healing of cuts or bruises
   • Tingling or loss of feeling in hands or feet
   • Recurring gum or skin infections
   • Recurring vaginal or bladder infections
   
   First, you have to understand about sugar (glucose) and how it is processes. Sugar is your main source for energy.
   It comes from 2 sources: Foods we eat and you’re liver.
   
   During digestion glucose is absorbed in the bloodstream, entering cells to help with insulin. Insulin goes through your pancreas, when you eat. It allows glucose to enter your cells; thereby insulin lowers your sugar intake to your bloodstream to keep it within normal ranges.
   
   Your insulin levels will get low it means you haven’t eaten in a while; stored glucose will be released into your bloodstream keeping your insulin in normal range.
3. Risks
   
   The same risk factors are in effect for pre-diabetes that occur in type-2 diabetes. The following are risk factors are:
   
   • Weight
   • Inactivity
   • Family History
   • Age
   • Race
   • Gestational Diabetes
   • Diabetes
4. Determining If You a Pre-Diabetic
   
   A blood test taken at the doctor’s office or lab is usually how people find out they have diabetes. American Diabetes Association recommends screening at age 45 for diabetes.
   
   Fasting Glucose Test – preferred method is to fast over night then a blood test is taken and sent to a lab for testing.
   
   Oral Glucose Test – fast for 8 hours then drink a sugary drink, your blood level is tested before, then on hour after, and again two hours after you drink the liquid.
   
   The best way to prevent diabetes is to eat healthy and to watch your weight, and exercise. Sometimes medication is given to treat pre-diabetes such as metformin (Glucophage) and rosiglitazone (Avandia) may reduce the risk of type- 2 diabetes, but its best to have a healthy lifestyle.

Tips & Warnings

• Pre-diabetes is always had before type 2 diabetes.
• Eating properly is important.
• Frequent dizziness or vision problems.
• Numbness in hands and swelling of feet.