The Pre-Diabetes Stage

Normally by the time you’re diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, it is often too late. Early detection and intervention in the pre-diabetes stage may help prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. This pre-diabetes stage has no significant sign; this is why it may skip everyone’s notice.

Pre-diabetes refers to a state when a person’s blood sugar is slightly elevated but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes; it is also clinically known as Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT) or Impaired Fasting Glucose (IFT).

Beside from having a higher chance of developing type 2 diabetes, people with pre-diabetes also run a higher risk of developing other complications associated with diabetes such as heart disease and stroke. The pre-diabetes stage, progression to diabetes is likely but with correct lifestyle modification, this may be prevented or delayed. Up to a third of people with pre-diabetes may be able to bring their blood glucose levels back to normal over time.

Weight loss, regular exercise and medication are important because the hormone insulin which is ineffective in controlling blood sugar, though the three measures, the body becomes more sensitive to the action of insulin. It works better in controlling blood sugar, and sometimes, diabetes can be prevented in the pre-diabetes stage.

The fastest and surest way to find out if you have pre-diabetes is to go for a blood test, IFG can be detected by an early morning blood sample after an overnight fast, while IGT can be detected using an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT). This involves taking a glucose drink and a second blood sample two hours after the first blood test. If you are diagnosed with either IFG or IGT, the most important thing to do is to re-look at your lifestyle.

There are some medications which can help but you can’t pop a pill and expect the problem to go away. So if you are over the age of 40, overweight, obese, smoke, lead a sedentary or stressful lifestyle or have a family history of diabetes you may have a higher risk of having diabetes. For those who are overweight or obese, you should lose weight. Change to a healthy diet and increase daily activity or hop over to a nearby clinic to get yourself screened today without delay.