Prediabetes Treatment

If prediabetes is not treated, it can lead to the development of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. The…(continue reading)

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), prediabetes affects about 96 million American adults, or approximately one in every three Americans, with most not even knowing they have it.

Prediabetes is a condition in which blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be considered diabetes, also called diabetes mellitus.

If prediabetes is not treated, it can lead to the development of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

The good news is that prediabetes is treatable and you can prevent prediabetes from progressing to type 2 diabetes by following the prediabetes treatment options listed.

What is prediabetes?

Prediabetes is a condition in which your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.

If you have type 2 diabetes, then it is most likely that you had prediabetes first and may not have even known it.

When you have prediabetes your body is less able to process blood sugar, also called glucose, and this can lead to type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, damage to your blood vessels, and stroke.

Your body can also develop insulin resistance, which means that your cells have trouble processing glucose for energy. Thankfully, there are ways to treat and prevent prediabetes before it becomes diabetes.

What are the symptoms of prediabetes?

The symptoms of prediabetes can be very subtle and you may not even know that you have it. The main symptom is having higher than normal blood glucose levels.

Besides having high blood glucose levels, you may also experience:

  • Unexplained weight loss or weight gain
  • Increased thirst
  • Frequent urination
  • Increased hunger
  • Skin that is darker than normal, especially in the armpits, groin, and neck areas
  • Blurred vision
  • A tingling or numb sensation in your extremities
  • Wounds that are slow to heal
  • Frequent infections
  • Being easily exhausted and experiencing fatigue

If you experience any of these symptoms, please talk to your doctor or health care provider so you can take a blood sugar test to determine if you have prediabetes.

What are the causes and risk factors for prediabetes?

The cause of prediabetes is not fully understood, but we do know that there are certain risk factors for it.

You may be more likely to develop prediabetes if you have any of the following risk factors:

  • A family history of type 2 diabetes or prevalence of prediabetes
  • Being overweight or obese
  • Excess abdominal fat and large waist size of over 40 inches for men and 35 inches for women
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • High triglycerides in your blood which can harden arteries and blood vessels
  • Live a sedentary lifestyle and are physically inactive
  • Have an unhealthy diet consisting of processed foods, sugary drinks, red meat, and processed meat
  • Being older than 45
  • Have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
  • Smoke tobacco
  • Have sleep disorders such as sleep apnea
  • Have had gestational diabetes in a past pregnancy which puts you and your child at risk for prediabetes
  • Are of a certain race or ethnicity as people of African-American, Native American, Latino, Asian American, or Pacific Islander heritage are more likely to get prediabetes
  • Have metabolic syndrome which is a combination of your cells becoming insulin resistant and obesity

If you have some of these risk factors, please consult with your doctor about prediabetes as you may be more likely to develop it.

How do doctors diagnose prediabetes?

Your doctor can give you a physical exam and order some blood tests to determine if you are prediabetic. The most common blood tests used for the diagnosis of prediabetes are as follows:

Fasting plasma glucose test

A fasting plasma glucose test is when you have not had food or drinks except water for at least eight hours before the test and if your blood glucose level is between 100 and 125 mg/dL, then you may have prediabetes.

Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)

An oral glucose tolerance test is when you drink a sugary liquid and then have your blood sugar levels checked at certain intervals. To have prediabetes, your blood sugar must be over 200 mg/dL.

Hemoglobin A1C test

The hemoglobin A1C test is when a small sample of blood is taken and then tested in a lab and is often used to monitor your blood sugar level over months.

If the results of your test show your hemoglobin A1C level is 5.6% to 6.4% then your doctor will diagnose you with prediabetes.

If your doctor suspects that you have prediabetes based on any of these tests, they may order additional blood tests to confirm the diagnosis.

Prediabetes Product Recommendations from Diabetic.org

🩸Nothing beats a quality cookbook or management app for helping you find a nutritional diet to help maintain a healthy lifestyle and lower blood sugar. We have a few recommendations for you.

📗 The Everything Easy Pre-Diabetes Cookbook with over 200 Recipes

📗 The Mayo Clinic Diabetes Diet

📱The Klinio program (Mobile app) is a simple and practical solution to manage all diabetes management areas – nutrition, workouts, metrics tracking, medication logging, and education.

🩸Lastly, we have a 100%, all natural, blood sugar supplement, called BeLiv. This amazing blood sugar supplement comes with a 60 day money back guarantee, is GMO FREE, Made in the USA, and made with 24 natural ingredients. Don’t believe us? Check our their reviews of real customer with life changing results HERE. Try your first bottle, RISK FREE, by CLICKING 👉 HERE

What are the prediabetes treatment options?

If you are diagnosed with prediabetes, there are treatment options available to you.

The most important thing you can do is to make lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet, getting regular physical activity, and losing excess weight if you are overweight or obese.

A healthy diet consists of eating whole grain foods instead of processed carbohydrates that are found in white bread, potatoes, and cereal, avoiding red meat and eating poultry or fish instead, and limiting unhealthy fats and replacing them with healthy fats found in avocados, olive oil, seeds, and nuts.

Always avoid sugary drinks such as sodas to also help treat your prediabetes.

These lifestyle changes can help prevent prediabetes progress to diabetes.

Quitting smoking is also very healthy and beneficial for treating prediabetes as is limiting your alcohol consumption to one drink per day.

Finally, if your doctor prescribes any medications for prediabetes, such as metformin, or any of its risk factors you need to take them as prescribed to help keep your blood sugar at a normal level.

There have been numerous alternative medicines and therapies that proclaim to help treat prediabetes, but there is little scientific evidence to support these claims.

Can you prevent prediabetes?

Yes, prediabetes is a preventable condition.

You can prevent prediabetes by making the same lifestyle changes used to treat the condition such as eating a healthy diet, getting regular physical activity, quitting smoking, and losing weight if you are overweight or obese.

If you have prediabetes, you can prevent it from progressing to full-blown diabetes by making these same lifestyle changes and taking any medications that your doctor prescribes for prediabetes or its risk factors. It’s also important that you monitor and manage your blood pressure and cholesterol levels to keep them in a healthy range to stay healthy although diet and exercise can also help manage these levels too.

Summary

Prediabetes is a condition in which your blood sugar is higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

Some of the symptoms of prediabetes include being very thirsty, going to the bathroom frequently, and feeling very tired.

The risk factors associated with prediabetes include being overweight or obese, having high blood pressure, having abnormal cholesterol levels, and having a family history of diabetes among many others.

You can prevent and treat prediabetes by making healthy lifestyle changes such as eating healthy food, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight.

If you have any of prediabetic symptoms or risk factors, please consult with your doctor or health care provider to determine the best treatment plan or course of action for you.

References and sources:

CDC

Mayo Clinic 

WebMD

Diabetes.org

NIH

Fact Checked and Editorial Process

Diabetic.org is devoted to producing expert and accurate articles and information for our readers by hiring experts, journalists, medical professionals, and our growing Diabetic.org community. We encourage you to read more about our content, editing, and fact checking methods here. This was fact checked by Jacqueline Hensler and medically reviewed by Dr. Angel Rivera. 

fact checked and medically reviewed

We are committed to providing our readers with only trusted resources and science-based studies with regards to medication and health information. 

Disclaimer: This general information is not intended to diagnose any medical condition or to replace your healthcare professional. If you suspect medical problems or need medical help or advice, please talk with your healthcare professional.

The Latest Advances in Diabetes Research and Treatments

The Latest Advances in Diabetes Research and Treatments: Exploring New Horizons

We’re living in an exciting time for diabetes research and treatments. Breakthroughs in medical research have led to significant advancements in our understanding, prevention, and management of the disease. In this article, we’ll delve into the latest findings in diabetes research and explore the novel treatments that are revolutionizing the way we combat this chronic condition.

Read More »
Diabetes Burnout

Diabetes Burnout: Essential Tips for Managing Daily Challenges

Living with diabetes can be both challenging and overwhelming. In some cases, individuals may experience diabetes burnout, a state of mental and physical exhaustion caused by the constant demands of managing the condition. In this article, we’ll discuss the signs, causes, effects, and ways to prevent and cope with diabetes burnout.

Read More »
Diabetes and Alcohol

Diabetes and Alcohol: Understanding the Risks and Precautions

Living with diabetes doesn’t mean you have to completely give up alcohol. It’s important, though, to understand how diabetes and alcohol interact and take steps to ensure your health and safety when choosing to consume alcoholic beverages. We’ll delve into the impacts of alcohol on those with diabetes, and provide recommendations on how to safely imbibe for those living with this condition.

Read More »
The Importance of Diabetes Education and Self-Management

The Importance of Diabetes Education and Self-Management: A Must for Better Health

Living with diabetes can be challenging, but proper education and self-management can significantly improve a person’s quality of life. When we’re informed about the various aspects of the condition, we’re better equipped to make the right decisions and stay healthy. In this article, we’ll discuss the importance of diabetes education and self-management, which play a crucial role in taking control of one’s health.

Read More »
Diabetic Meal Planning

Diabetic Meal Planning: Our Expert Guide to Balanced Meals

Living with diabetes doesn’t mean your food choices have to be bland and boring. In fact, diabetic meal planning can lead to a healthier and more fulfilling lifestyle. By focusing on nutrient-dense and low-glycemic foods, we can keep our blood sugar stable, satisfy our taste buds, and effectively manage diabetes.

Read More »
Diabetes and Skin Conditions

Diabetes and Skin Conditions: Essential Tips for Prevention and Treatment

When blood sugar levels are inadequately controlled, the resulting high blood glucose can contribute to skin issues. Understanding the link between diabetes and skin conditions is crucial for managing both the disease itself and our overall health. In this article, we’ll be shedding light on common skin conditions that individuals with diabetes are susceptible to, and offering advice on how to maintain healthy skin.

Read More »
Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetic Neuropathy: Understanding Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

Understanding the risk factors for diabetic neuropathy is vital for preventing or slowing down its progression. Factors such as poor blood sugar control, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels, and obesity can all contribute to nerve damage. Therefore, it’s essential to stay informed about diabetic neuropathy to ensure a better quality of life for those with diabetes. In the following sections, we’ll explore various aspects of the condition, management strategies, and tips for living with this complication.

Read More »
Visit Our Shop

Top Rated and Approved Diabetic Products at Cheap Prices.

Visit our Shop Today and Start Saving Hundreds on Your Diabetic Supplies and Products.

Top Destinations

Recent Articles

Stay in Touch

Share On

Leave a Reply

Join Our Newsletter

Get exclusive offers, advice, and tips from Diabetic.org delivered to your inbox.