Prediabetes and Prevention

Prediabetes is a condition in which the blood sugar levels of the body are elevated over a period of time and within a specific range. This condition may be associated with the development of Type 2 diabetes, however ongoing research tends to indicate that there are a lot of strategies that someone with prediabetes can use to prevent or delay the onset of Type 2 diabetes.

Prediabetes can also increase the risk factors for the individual for cardiovascular disease, heart attack and stroke. The condition may also lead to complications with vision and kidney function as the individual ages.

Determining prediabetes factors

Prediabetes factors are measured by your IFG or impaired fasting glucose score and/or the impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). Some individuals may have both IFG and IGT at the same time.

IFG is measured by fasting overnight and then taking the blood glucose test. Individuals with 100-125 milligrams per deciliter are considered to be in the prediabetes range. Approximately 33.8% of the American population age 40-74 will have IFG.

IGT is an oral glucose test that gives a reading of 140-199 milligrams per deciliter after a 2-hour period. Out of the same population of 40-74 year olds 15.4% will have IGT, and 40.1% will have prediabetes.

Can it be controlled?

The good news is that research shows that some lifestyle changes can have a big impact on these factors, and can delay or even prevent the progression to type 2 diabetes. In the Diabetes Prevention program individuals that walked or moderately exercised for 2 _ hours per week, watched what they ate and stayed on any prescribed medication were able to reduce the rate of diabetes by 58% over 3 years. These individuals were all at high risk for prediabetes prior to entering the study.

In addition there are several medications including metformin, and acarbose significantly reduced the rate of type 2 diabetes. The studies showed that the medications were most effective if the participant was between 25-40 years of age and was heavier (60-80 pounds overweight) at the start of the study. Some improvement was also noted in older or less overweight individuals but it was not as marked.

Type 1 diabetes currently has no known methods of prevention. Ongoing studies are attempting to locate the factors that indicate the onset of type 1 diabetes in an effort to be able to introduce prevention programs.

Diagnosis

As with all components of diabetes the key to understanding and managing prediabetes is to get the correct diagnosis as quickly as possible. Blood glucose tests should be done if there is a history of diabetes or heart attack or stroke in your family. It is important to also follow through on any recommendations that the doctor may make for further testing. Early diagnosis of prediabetes can allow the physician and the patient to begin to address the issues of weight management, exercise and diet and can lead to the delay or even the prevention of the onset of type 2 diabetes.

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What is diabetes?

A disease in which the body cannot convert food into energy because of a lack of insulin (a hormone produced by the pancreas), or because of an inability to use insulin. Diabetes is a serious condition that can cause complications ranging from numbness to loss of vision to coma. It also significantly raises the risk for other problems, such as stroke and heart disease. About 17 million Americans have diabetes.
A hereditary or developmental problem with sugar metabolism. Caused by a failure of the pancreas to produce enough insulin. Juvenile diabetes, or type 1 diabetes, is treated with diet, exercise and insulin. Type 2, formerly called adult onset, is now seen in overweight children. It is treated with diet, exercise and medication. In severe cases, type 2 diabetes is also treated with insulin.
A chronic condition associated with abnormally high levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood. The two types of diabetes are referred to as insulin-dependent (type I) and non-insulin dependent (type II). Type I diabetes results from a lack of adequate insulin secretion by the pancreas. Type II diabetes (also known as adult-onset diabetes) is characterized by an insensitivity of the tissues of the body to insulin secreted by the pancreas (insulin resistance).