Can we reverse prediabetes?
Medically Reviewed by Dr Sravya, MBBS, MS
Have you been diagnosed with prediabetes and now in a state of dilemma as to what next? The question of ‘Can this be reversed?’ must be wandering in your head. We could take measures to reverse prediabetes but we need to make some lifestyle changes as well as some precautions to prevent it from turning into diabetes type 2. We need to be aware of the symptoms so that it can be detected early and we can prevent ourselves from life threatening health issues.
Prediabetes is a condition in which the blood sugar level increases but doesn’t rise high enough to be considered as diabetes type 2. Blood glucose levels in prediabetes are around 100-125mg/dl. Levels of blood glucose higher than this range is considered diabetes.This condition, if not diagnosed and treated early can lead to serious health problems such as heart disease, kidney damage, and nerve damage.
What are the causes of prediabetes?
Even though the exact cause of prediabetes is unknown, there are certain predisposing factors that are considered risk factors.
Given below is the list of these risk factors.
- Family history and Genetics - A person is at risk of prediabetes if his parent or siblings are patients of diabetes.
- Obesity or being overweight - Fatty tissues prevent insulin absorption and therefore being overweight can be a cause of high blood glucose levels.
- Gestational diabetes - Diabetes during pregnancy that goes after giving birth is known as gestational diabetes. A woman who is diagnosed with gestational diabetes is at risk of developing prediabetes. If the diabetes persists after childbirth, it is classified as type 2 diabetes.
- Activity - Inactive individuals get obese which results in a high risk of developing prediabetes. Regular exercise and an active lifestyle are essential for preventing prediabetes.
- Hormonal imbalance - People suffering from diseases caused by hormonal imbalances like hyperthyroid, hypothyroid, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are also at risk of developing prediabetes.
- Race and ethnic background - Although diabetes is prevalent all around the world, people belonging to a specific race and ethnicity have been found to be more at risk.eg; Hispanic, American Indians, AfricanAmericans.
- Age – The risk of prediabetes increases above the age of 45 years.
- Obstructive Sleep apnea (OSA) – It is a sleep disorder in which the throat muscles relax, blocking the air to pass to the lungs. This causes repeated disturbance of breathing resulting in disturbed sleep. An individual with OSA feels lethargic 7 sleepy during the daytime. Irritability, waking up with a dry mouth, and snoring while they sleep are some common symptoms of the same. Disturbed sleep causes insulin resistance in the body leading to a risk of prediabetes.
- Smoking – Tobacco in cigarettes contains nicotine that alters the body cells and impairs glucose absorption. Hence, blood glucose levels rise causing the risk of prediabetes.
What are the symptoms of prediabetes?
Pancreas is an organ situated behind the stomach and it performs endocrine as well as exocrine functions. It regulates blood sugar levels by secreting the hormone insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, and pancreatic polypeptide. During prediabetes the body does not absorb insulin secreted by the pancreas as well as there is reduced insulin secretion. Insulin is a hormone that sends the message throughout the body to absorb sugar and use it for energy. In prediabetes, the body becomes reluctant to insulin and therefore the sugar is not absorbed by the cells resulting in high blood sugar levels.
During prediabetes, the body does not show any signs or symptoms but in few individuals, it might show the following symptoms:
- Polydipsia (excessive thirst) – When blood glucose levels are high, kidneys produce more urine in order to remove excess glucose from the body. Due to excessive fluid loss from the body, the brain messages the body for more water intake resulting in excessive thirst.
- Polyphagia (extreme hunger) -Glucose (sugar) in the blood is absorbed in the form of energy. Due to the lack of insulin in prediabetes, the glucose is not absorbed and remains in the blood. This causes a lack of energy in the cells resulting in the body asking for more and more food.
- Polyurea (frequent urination) – High glucose level burdens the kidney for excessive excretion of glucose from the body. Glucose takes water along with it while moving out of the body resulting in frequent urination.
- Fatigue (feeling tired) – Due to insulin resistance of the body, the glucose is not absorbed by the cells for storing energy. This causes a lack of energy in the body making the individual feel tired always.
- Blurred vision – High blood glucose levels cause deposition of glucose on tiny blood vessels supplying nutrition to the retina. In order to get nutrition, the eye tries making new blood vessels that are weak and can leak blood into the retina causing blurred vision.
- Diabetic Neuropathy (tingling sensation in hands and feet) – High blood glucose levels cause injury to nerves throughout the body. This can lead to a tingling sensation, numbness, sharp pain, or cramps in the hands and feet.
Which tests do you need to take for early detection of prediabetes?
As most individuals with prediabetes are symptom-free, they need to keep a regular check on their blood glucose levels for early detection of prediabetes.
Following are the tests for early diagnosis of prediabetes, that can be used as a marker in gaining control of the situation:
- A1C test – This test measures the percentage of glucose that is attached to your hemoglobin. It shows an average blood glucose count of the past three months.A1C test range from 5.7%-6.4% indicates prediabetes. This test has an advantage over the other tests as it can be done anytime without fasting. The A1C test is also known by other names such as hemoglobin A1C test, HbA1C test, and glycosylated hemoglobin test.
- Fasting blood sugar test – This test is done after a period of fasting for 8-12 hours. You cannot eat or drink (except water) anything during fasting. Fasting blood sugar test range from 100-125 mg/dl indicates prediabetes. Higher than this range is indicative of Diabetes type 2. The fasting blood sugar test is also known as the fasting plasma glucose test (FPG).
- Glucose tolerance test – It is a long method, less commonly used as it requires more time and preparation of the patient. In this test, first, a fasting blood sample is taken and then the patient is administered 75 grams of glucose with water orally. After two hours of glucose intake, again a blood sample is withdrawn from the patient’s body. Glucose tolerance test range from 140-199 mg/dl indicates prediabetes.
- Random blood sugar test – It can be taken anytime and you don’t need to fast or eat before this test. It is useful for quick diagnosis. A random blood sugar test range of 140-190 mg/dl indicates prediabetes.
- Tests for gestational diabetes – This test is done between 24 to 28 weeks of pregnancy. If the above-mentioned risk factors are present in the woman, then the doctor might get the test done in the early weeks of pregnancy. A higher blood sugar level during the early weeks indicates that the woman is suffering from diabetes type 1 or type 2 and not having gestational diabetes. Blood sugar level usually returns to normal after delivery but around 50% of women are at risk of developing prediabetes. Therefore, women should get their blood sugar levels test done after 6months to 1 year after the baby is born and then every 1- 3 years.
Are children at risk of developing prediabetes?
- Children are not excluded from the risk of developing prediabetes. Nowadays, due to increased consumption of junk food, and unhealthy and inactive lifestyle, the problem of obesity is very common among children which is leading to the development of prediabetes and further diabetes if left untreated. Parents should monitor children’s health by involving them in physical activities and helping them to opt for healthy eating habits.
How can we reverse prediabetes?
If you are diagnosed with prediabetes then that doesn’t always mean that you will develop diabetes later. But majority of prediabetics who does not take care of their health and continue with unhealthy lifestyle are likely to be diagnosed with diabetes in the future.
Following are some steps that we need to take to prevent ourselves from getting diabetes
- Maintaining a healthy weight – Obesity is a risk factor for prediabetes. Therefore, people with prediabetes should maintain a healthy weight by choosing healthy foods, regular exercise, and active lifestyle.
- Good eating habits – Eating fresh vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, avoiding junk and processed food, avoiding outside food, and preferring fresh home-cooked foods are the best choices for good eating habits. Fruit juices and sugary beverages also need to be avoided. Eating healthy will make you lose weight and prevent the risk of getting prediabetes.
- Exercise – Regular exercise and meditation keep the mind and body free from diseases.150 minutes in a week of aerobic exercise or walking is a must. If we talk about steps, then it is said that 10,000 to 15000 steps a day are necessary for good health. Meditation is also helpful in keeping stress levels away.
- Quit smoking and alcohol consumption – As described earlier in this article, smoking, and alcohol worsens insulin resistance. To avoid prediabetes turning into diabetes, a person should try quitting these habits of smoking and alcohol. The help of a doctor or a rehabilitation center can be taken if quitting is difficult.
- Getting enough sleep – 6-8 hours of sleep is necessary for good health. Individuals who work late at night or who have a habit of staying awake the whole night have been found to have high levels of cortisol. Cortisol is a hormone that raises blood sugar by releasing stored glucose. High cortisol levels will make the prediabetes condition worse and therefore it is necessary to get enough sleep.
- Consulting a doctor – You should not hesitate to talk to your doctor if you have any queries or doubts regarding prediabetes. A doctor will be able to guide you in a better way and also provide medicines or health supplements if required.
Conclusion
In conclusion, prediabetes affects all organs of the body and should be taken seriously. If left untreated, can lead to several life-threatening health issues including kidney failure, heart attack, etc. Lifestyle changes like losing excess weight and exercising regularly are steps that individuals can take to normalize their blood sugar and reverse prediabetes. People with prediabetes should consult a doctor for more tips and resources to reach their health goals.