Are you aware of prediabetes? Let's talk about it simply.

Did your recent blood test show that your blood sugar level is a little high? But did the doctor say that you don't have diabetes yet, but it's time to be very careful? If you have had a similar experience, today we are going to talk about a topic that is very important to you. That is the stage before diabetes, or in medical terms, Prediabetes . This is like a warning, like the yellow light on a traffic light. It is an opportunity to alert us before an accident occurs.

Simply put, what is prediabetes?

It's simple. Prediabetes is an intermediate stage where your blood sugar (glucose) levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be called diabetes (Type 2 Diabetes). It's not a disease in itself, but a powerful warning sign from your body. If you take the right steps at this point, you can prevent or delay the development of full-blown diabetes. That's the good news here.

Normally, a healthy person's blood sugar level should be between 70 and 99 (mg/dL). However, a person with prediabetes can have this value between 100 and 125 (mg/dL). If this condition is not addressed, the chances of developing full-blown diabetes within 10 years are very high.

What are the symptoms of prediabetes? How common is it?

This is the thing that confuses many people. Many people don't show any symptoms when they have prediabetes. Yes, you may not feel any discomfort or pain. Because of this silence, more than 80% of people in the world with prediabetes don't know it.

That's why it's so important to see your family doctor regularly and get age-appropriate blood tests. Only then can you identify these conditions early.

However, very rarely, some people may experience some of the following symptoms:

• The skin in areas such as the armpits, back of the neck, and sides of the body becomes dark and thick, like velvet. This is medically known as `(acanthosis nigricans)`.
• The appearance of small lumps (skin tags) on the skin surface.
• Over time, changes in vision develop. This can later lead to diabetes-related retinopathy, a condition that damages the eyes.

Why do we get prediabetes? What are the risk factors?

The main cause of prediabetes is insulin resistance . This may seem a little complicated, but I'll explain it to you simply.

Think of it this way: the cells in our bodies are like houses. The sugar (glucose) we eat gives these houses energy. The hormone insulin is the key that opens the doors of these houses and lets the sugar in.

When insulin resistance occurs, it's like the keyholes in the doors of those houses become clogged with rust. So, the key called insulin can't open the door properly. Then sugar can't get into the cells and starts accumulating in the blood. This is how blood sugar levels rise.

There are several factors that contribute to insulin resistance and increase the risk of prediabetes:

• Genetics: If your mother, father, or siblings have diabetes, you are also at risk of developing prediabetes.
• Excess body weight: Fat deposition, especially around the abdomen (protruding belly) is a major cause.
• Lack of exercise: Not keeping the body active, staying in one place for too long.
• Unhealthy eating habits: Frequent consumption of sweet, floury, oily, and processed foods.
• Age: The risk increases after the age of 45.
• Smoking.
• Other medical conditions:
• Having diabetes during pregnancy (gestational diabetes).
• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).
• Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition related to snoring.
• Some hormonal disorders.
• Long-term use of certain medications, such as steroids.
• Stress and lack of enough sleep.

Some of these risk factors (such as age and genetics) are beyond our control. But many others (such as diet, exercise, and smoking) are within our control. If you have any of these risk factors, it is important to talk to your doctor about getting tested for prediabetes.

What can happen if prediabetes is not taken care of?

The biggest and most important complication of prediabetes is that it can develop into Type 2 Diabetes . Diabetes is a disease that, if not properly controlled, can damage many organs in our body.

Long-term complications of diabetes include:

• Increased risk of heart attack and stroke .
• Eye damage (diabetes-related retinopathy): Over time, vision can become impaired and even lead to blindness.
• Kidney damage (diabetes-related nephropathy): Can even lead to kidney failure.
• Nerve damage (diabetes-related neuropathy): Numbness, tingling, and pain in the limbs can occur, and injuries can go unnoticed.

Remember, prediabetes can be reversed. But reversing the complications of diabetes is often impossible. That's why it's important to be aware of this early and take the necessary steps throughout your life.

How do you know exactly if you have prediabetes?

The only way to know for sure is to have a blood test. Your doctor will usually recommend these tests. There are two main types of tests.

1. Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) Test: This is the test we usually do in the morning, after not eating anything (after fasting for about 8 hours) to check blood sugar levels.

2. A1C Test: This test can determine your average blood sugar level over the past two to three months.

The doctor will decide where you are based on the results of these tests.

The best news! Prediabetes can be reversed. How?

Yes, this is the best news you will ever hear. Prediabetes is not a final verdict that you will develop diabetes. By adopting a healthy lifestyle, you can almost completely reverse this condition and bring your blood sugar levels back to normal.

This doesn't have to be a big deal. You can start with small changes. There are three main things to focus on.

In addition to these things, other things you can do:

• If you are a smoker, try to quit smoking .
• Find ways to reduce stress . Things like meditation and listening to music can help.
• Get enough sleep . You need 7-8 hours of good sleep a day.
• If you have other medical conditions, such as high blood pressure or cholesterol, control them well according to your doctor's instructions.

Is there any medicine for prediabetes?

In most cases, the best way to manage prediabetes is to make the lifestyle changes we discussed earlier. However, in some cases, such as when you are at a very high risk of developing diabetes and your blood sugar levels are difficult to control with lifestyle changes alone, your doctor may recommend that you start taking medication.

The most commonly used drugs for this are `(metformin)` and `(acarbose)`. However, this is only determined by the doctor who examines you.

How do you take care of yourself when living with prediabetes?

It's normal to feel a little nervous and scared when you find out you have prediabetes. But remember, this is an opportunity to change your life for the better.

• Educate yourself: Read about prediabetes and healthy eating from trusted sources. Don't be afraid to ask your doctor questions.
• Tell your family and friends about this: Tell them about the changes you are making. Then they can help you.
• Think about your mental health too: Making these changes can be difficult at times. If you're feeling overwhelmed, talk about it.
• Changing habits is hard: You can't change everything overnight. Start small. Set one goal at a time.
• You won't be 100% perfect every day: Some days you won't be able to exercise, some days you won't be able to control your eating. That's normal. Don't worry about it, just try again the next day. The important thing is not to be perfect, but to try.
• Be kind to yourself: If you're still having trouble controlling your blood sugar levels after doing all of this, don't feel like it's your fault. Diabetes is a complex condition. Talk to your doctor to decide what to do next.

Talk to your doctor.

If you have prediabetes or are at risk for it, it's important to see your doctor regularly for advice. You may find it helpful to ask your doctor questions like these:

1. How can I reduce my risk of developing prediabetes and diabetes?

2. What are the symptoms of diabetes?

3. What is a healthy weight for my height?

4. What are the best ways to lose weight?

5. How much exercise should I do? What kind of exercise is best for me?

6. What changes do I need to make in my diet?

7. Should I see a nutritionist?

8. Are there any groups or programs I can join for help?

When it comes to prediabetes, knowledge is power . Knowing if you have this condition and what you can do to change it is part of that power. You don't have to go through this journey alone. Your doctor and your healthcare team are always there to help you.

prediabetes, blood sugar, insulin resistance, A1C test, diabetes prevention