About this topic
When you eat, your body breaks down all sugars and starches into glucose. Your body needs insulin to use glucose for energy. The insulin takes the glucose from your blood into your cells. Your body may not have enough insulin or your body may not recognize insulin. Then, the glucose or sugar stays in your blood instead of going into your cells. This causes your blood sugar levels to be too high. ‚
When you have diabetes: ‚
- The cells can no longer respond to insulin. Then, sugar enters the cells too slowly. This is how type 2 diabetes develops.
- The pancreas does not make enough insulin. The sugar cannot get into your cells. This is how type 1 diabetes develops.
- The sugar starts to build up in your blood. This is common to all types of diabetes.
Prediabetes happens when there is too much sugar in your blood. Your blood sugar is higher than normal but is not high enough to be called diabetes. ‚
Over time, having too much sugar in your blood can cause serious problems. You may not feel sick, but the high sugar can damage your nerves, kidneys, and eyes. You may also have heart problems or stroke. It is important to treat prediabetes. Once you have diabetes, it does not go away. ‚
What are the causes?
- Genes passed down from your family may make you more likely to have prediabetes
- Your body does not make enough insulin or does not use it very well
- A build-up of sugar in your blood
- Eating foods that have a lot of sugar and starch
What can make this more likely to happen?
Many things can raise your risk of prediabetes. Your age and weight may put you at a higher risk. Having your extra weight in your belly is a risk. Smoking raises your risk. Lack of physical activity is a risk factor. If you have a family history of diabetes your risk is higher. It is also higher if you have had gestational diabetes or a baby weighing over 9 pounds at birth. Race can also factor into your risk level, which is higher for Asians, blacks, Hispanics, and Native Americans. ‚
What are the main signs?
Most often, prediabetes has no signs. You may see signs like: ‚
- Feeling very thirsty often
- Passing urine more often than usual
- Feeling very hungry
- Tiredness
- Blurred eyesight
- Slow healing cuts and wounds
How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?
Talk to your doctor to see if you should be tested. Your doctor will take your history and do an exam. This will include checking your blood pressure and listening to your heart and lungs. Your doctor will also look for any skin changes and check your eyes. You will need to have special blood tests to check your blood sugar. Your doctor may order: ‚
- Fasting blood glucose test ¢ ˆ ’ You will be asked not to eat anything overnight. Your doctor will take a blood sample and will check your blood sugar first thing in the morning.
- Oral glucose tolerance test ¢ ˆ ’ You will be asked not to eat anything overnight. Your doctor will take a blood sample and measure your blood sugar level. Your doctor will check it again 2 hours after you drink a sugar-rich solution.
- A1C test ¢ ˆ ’ Measures the average amount of sugar in your blood over the past 3 to 4 months.
How does the doctor treat this health problem?
Your doctor will work to help you get your blood sugar levels back to normal. You may need to make changes to your lifestyle. You may also need to take some drugs. This may help keep you from getting type 2 diabetes. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Lower your blood sugar
- Control high blood pressure
- Control your cholesterol level
What problems could happen?
- High levels of acids called ketones build up in the blood. This is a very serious problem.
- Infection
- Injury to blood vessels and nerves
- Diabetes
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Talk with your doctor about changes in your diet and exercises that are right for you.
- Control your weight.
- Know your blood sugar goals. Check your blood sugar levels at different times of the day. Keep notes on foods and drinks that increase your blood sugar.
- Know the signs of high blood sugar and get help when needed.
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics ‚
http://www.eatright.org/Public/content.aspx?id=6442477242&terms=prediabetes ‚
American Diabetes Association ‚
http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/prevention/pre-diabetes/ ‚
Center for Disease Control and Prevention ‚
http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/consumer/prediabetes.htm ‚
National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse ‚
http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/prediabetes_ES/ ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚