What Is Pre-Diabetes?
Introduction
Pre-diabetes is the relatively new name for "Impaired Glucose Tolerance" (IGT) or Impaired Fasting Glucose (IFG). Some people wrongly call Pre-diabetes "Type 3 Diabetes", Type 3 diabetes is linked to Alzheimer's disease. Back to Pre-diabetes, when someone is said to have Pre-diabetes, it means they have higher than normal blood glucose levels, but they are below the technical threshold for being diagnosed with diabetes.
Studies have shown that most pre-diabetics go on to develop diabetes after 10 years if no action is taken. Pre-diabetics also face an increased risk of heart disease.
Do I Have Pre-diabetes?
There are two standard tests you can take:
- Take a blood glucose test first thing in the morning, before eating. Pre-diabetes is diagnosed if the level is between 100 and 125 mg/dl.
- First thing in the morning, blood glucose levels are measured, then a glucose rich drink is taken and the blood glucose levels tested after two hours. The diagnosis levels are between 140 to 199 mg/dl.
Higher than either of the above levels and you are officially a diabetic (further tests would be used to confirm).
Who is Most At Risk?
The following factors are the most important:
- Obesity
- High blood pressure, high cholesterol levels
- Over 45 years old
- Family history of diabetes, or gestational diabetes
What Should I Do About it?
If you have been diagnosed with pre-diabetes, you really are one of the lucky ones. If pre-diabetes is not diagnosed and Type 2 diabetes develops, half of all people will already have heart or kidney complications.
Studies have shown that even modest lifestyle changes can have a dramatic effect on pre-diabetes. Pre-diabetes is your warning sign that you need to eat more healthily and exercise more. In some cases pre-diabetes can be reversed and blood glucose levels can be reduced closer to normal.
Because of the increased heart disease risk, smokers should quit smoking immediately.
Are There Alternative Treatments?
There are alternative treatments on the market, which can be used in conjunction with lifestyle changes, this one is popular and there are many others.
Questions?
Checkout our Pre-diabetes Q & A section.
Recommended Supplier
Diabetic Supplies from DiabetesStore.com
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More Resources
[ www.jdrf.org ]
[ www.diabetes.ca/type2 ]
[ www.mayoclinic.com ]
[ www.diabetes.org/type2
]
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[ Symptoms ] [ Risks ] [ Medication ] [ Pre-diabetes ]
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