Prediabetes is a condition where blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be called diabetes. It is often described as the “gray area” between normal blood sugar and diabetic levels. While in this range, patients are at risk for not only developing type 2 diabetes, but also for cardiovascular complications.
Screening
Fasting plasma glucose screening should begin at age 30-45 and be repeated at least every three years. Earlier and more frequent screening should be conducted in at-risk individuals. The risk factors for which are listed below:
– Family history (parent or sibling)
– Dyslipidemia (triglycerides > 200 or HDL < 35)
– Overweight or obese (body mass index > 25)
– History of gestational diabetes or infant born with birth weight greater than 9 lb (4 kg)
– Hypertension (systolic blood pressure >140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure > 90 mmHg)
– Prior fasting blood glucose > 99
– Known vascular disease
– Markers of insulin resistance (PCOS)
Diagnosis
Prediabetes is usually diagnosed with a blood test:
– Fasting blood sugar (glucose) level of: 100 to 125 mg/dL
Levels above these limits would be a diagnosis for diabetes.
Pre-diabetes raises short-term absolute risk of Type 2 diabetes five to six fold, and in some populations this maybe even higher.
Management
Persons with prediabetes actually have the same complications as persons with diabetes—only less frequently.
The preferred treatment approach for all the abnormalities of persons in this group is intensive lifestyle management.
Persons with pre- diabetes should reduce weight by 5-10 percent with long-term maintenance at this level. Even modest weight loss (seven to ten percent of body weight) results in decreased fat mass, blood pressure, glucose, low density lipoprotein, and triglyceride levels. A program of regular moderate-intensity physical activity for 30-60 minutes daily, at least five days a week is recommended.
ALL THE INDIVIDUAL AT RISK …..ACT NOW,,,,GO GET URSELF TESTED TODAY…..N PREVENT THIS SILENT KILLER.
Mrs Shilpa Mittal
Nutritionist and Diet Consultant
Founder Shilpsnutrilife – Diet and lifestylemakeover