Description: Diabetes affects more than one million adults in the United States. Most of these adults had prediabetes with a blood sugar level of 104 before the diabetes diagnosis. Learning more about prediabetes is important to help you lower your risk of developing diabetes.
Blood sugar levels can vary greatly. When someone has a blood sugar of 104 after fasting for 12 hours, this may indicate prediabetes or impaired fasting glucose. Under normal circumstances, the fasting blood sugar level ranges from 65 to 99 mg/dl. Once a doctor diagnoses prediabetes and/or 104 blood sugar, it is imperative to work on glucose control to reduce the risk of developing full-blown diabetes.
CAUSES OF PREDIABETES
The hormone insulin is produced by the pancreas. It works similar to a key that essentially allows glucose to enter your cells for the purpose of energy. When you have prediabetes, the cells in your body do not have a normal response to insulin. As a result, your pancreas continues to increase its workload to produce more and more insulin.
The pancreas cannot maintain such a high level of function for a long period of time. Eventually, it is unable to produce enough insulin. Combined with your cells not responding well to the insulin present, your blood sugar rises. Once it reaches a certain level, prediabetes occurs.
Exactly what causes prediabetes is unknown. Genetics and family history appear to play a role in the process. There are also certain risk factors that can increase your risk. These include:
• Weight: If you are overweight, this can increase your risk. Having excess abdominal fat is especially risky because the more fat you have in this area, the more likely your cells will become resistant to insulin.
• Diet: If you eat a lot of foods that are high in sugar and other unhealthy foods, you are at increased risk of prediabetes.
• Age: Prediabetes can affect people of all ages. However, most people who develop this condition are 45 years of age or older.
• Race: Experts don’t understand why, but Hispanics, Asian Americans, African Americans, Native Americans, and Pacific Islanders have higher rates of prediabetes.
• Waist size: People whose waist measures more than 35 inches (women) or 40 inches (men) are at higher risk.
• Inactivity: Leading a sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of prediabetes. When you’re active, your cells are more sensitive to insulin.
• Family history: If your family members have been pre-diabetic, you are at increased risk for the condition.
• Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions increase your risk of prediabetes, including polycystic ovarian syndrome, gestational diabetes, and obstructive sleep apnea. People with these conditions tend to be more prone to insulin resistance, which can lead to prediabetes.
SYMPTOMS OF PREDIABETES
It is estimated that up to 90 percent of prediabetics do not know they have this condition. Symptoms are not always obvious, especially in the early stages. However, most of the symptoms of prediabetes are also the first signs of full-blown diabetes. Common symptoms include:
• Increased thirst
• Tired
• Frequent urination
• Blurry vision
Some people have darkened areas of skin on various areas of their body. These may look tan or brown. The parts of the body that are most often affected include the armpits, knees, neck, elbows, and knuckles.
The darkening of the skin is the result of too much insulin in the bloodstream. Excess insulin causes a faster reproduction rate of normal skin cells. Since these new cells have more melanin, the skin becomes darker in the affected areas.
POTENTIAL COMPLICATIONS
If prediabetes is not treated, you can develop type 2 diabetes. Some research shows that even if it doesn’t progress to full-blown diabetes, you’re still at risk for kidney damage and heart attacks if you have prediabetes.
GET A DIAGNOSIS
There are some non-invasive tests that doctors can do to make a diagnosis of prediabetes. An oral glucose tolerance test is commonly performed. You will need to fast for a minimum of eight hours and a blood sample will be taken. The doctor then makes him drink a sugary solution. Two hours after finishing the solution, another blood sample is taken. Prediabetes is diagnosed if your glucose levels are between 140 and 199 mg/dL.
The glycosylated hemoglobin (A1C) test is another option. This is a blood test that can provide an average of your blood sugar levels over the past 60 to 90 days. A doctor can diagnose prediabetes if the test reveals numbers between 5.7 and 6.4 percent.
Fasting blood sugar is also commonly done to look for prediabetes. You will need to fast for about eight hours and then your blood will be drawn. If your blood sugar levels are between 100 and 125 mg/dL, your doctor will diagnose you with prediabetes.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
Treatment mainly focuses on making changes to your lifestyle to keep your blood glucose levels under control. Most doctors start by looking at your diet. Ideally, eat foods rich in fiber and other important nutrients. Avoid those with added sugars and artificial ingredients.
The bulk of your diet should consist of vegetables, lean meats, whole grains, and fruits. When eating carbs, stick with complex carbs instead of simple carbs. This can keep your blood glucose level stable.
Your doctor may refer you to a dietitian or nutritionist to develop a healthy diet plan. They can assess your overall health status, your level of prediabetes, and make appropriate dietary recommendations.
Being more active is essential for the treatment of prediabetes. Ideally, you want to engage in moderate exercise on most days of the week. Each session must be at least 30 minutes. The type of exercise does not matter as long as it is moderate. Your doctor can make recommendations based on your general health.
Losing five to ten percent of your excess weight can reduce your risk of progressing to type 2 diabetes from prediabetes. When you eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly, it can help with your weight loss efforts.
In some cases, people can benefit from medications. Metformin is a popular choice to help lower blood sugar levels.
PREDIABETES PREVENTION
Your lifestyle is one of the most important factors associated with prediabetes. The following methods can reduce the risk of this condition:
• Exercise on most days of the week for at least 30 minutes.
• Eat a varied and healthy diet
• Lose excess weight
These methods can also help prevent prediabetes from progressing to type 2 diabetes. Also, if you are already prediabetic, keeping your cholesterol and blood sugar levels under control is beneficial in decreasing the risk of progression. These methods can also make you less likely to experience complications from prediabetes.
If you have a fasting blood sugar level of 104, it is important to see a doctor. This is especially important if you experience increased thirst, frequent urination, or other symptoms of this condition. Your doctor can test your fasting blood sugar levels and A1C to determine how well your body is using insulin. If you have prediabetes, changes to your diet, exercise, and making sure you are at a healthy weight can all be used to reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Since most people with prediabetes don’t know they have the condition, share this article on social networks to raise awareness among the people you know.