Type 2 diabetes is a common health issue in the UK, affecting millions of people. However, if you’ve been told you’re prediabetic by your GP, there are steps you can take to prevent and even ‘reverse’ the condition before it worsens.
Prediabetes, also known as non-diabetic hyperglycaemia, is when your blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diabetes diagnosis. This serious health condition increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
Often, prediabetes doesn’t present any symptoms, making it difficult to catch before it progresses into the diabetic range. But, there are some warning signs to watch out for.
The Mayo Clinic has identified several body-wide indicators that could help you know what to discuss with your doctor. The exact cause of prediabetes remains unknown, but it seems family history and genetics play a significant role.
- Increased thirst and frequent urination: When blood sugar levels are high, the kidneys work harder to filter excess glucose.
- Fatigue: Fluctuating blood sugar levels can cause fatigue.
- Blurred vision: Changes in blood sugar levels can cause blurred vision.
- Increased hunger: Also known as polyphagia, this is a common symptom of prediabetes.
- Unexplained weight loss: Even if you’re eating more, this can be an early warning sign of prediabetes.
- Slow healing of cuts and wounds: High blood sugar levels can damage nerves and blood vessels, impairing blood circulation.
- Darkened skin: This can appear on the neck, armpits, and groin.
- Skin tags: While harmless, having many skin tags may be a sign of type 2 diabetes.
Tiredness, thirst and blurred vision are all signs you could be diabetic
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The only way to confirm if you have prediabetes is through a blood test from your doctor. By becoming aware of the condition and making necessary lifestyle changes, you may be able to reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, reports the Mirror.
This includes losing weight, eating healthily, exercising regularly, drinking plenty of water, getting sufficient sleep, limiting alcohol, quitting smoking and cutting out sugars. Other things you can do include:
- Avoiding excessive intake of added sugars by limiting sugary beverages, cakes, cookies, candy and snacks
- Limiting portion sizes of refined carbohydrate foods such as white bread, white rice and white pasta
- Incorporating fibre to reach a goal of 25 to 30 grams per day by eating a variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains
- Limiting saturated and trans fats by choosing lean protein and low-fat dairy
The aim is to control blood sugar levels to the point where medication becomes unnecessary. This is commonly referred to as Type 2 diabetes remission – a state where your blood sugar levels fall below the diabetes range and you no longer require medication such as insulin.
A blood test can confirm if you are diabetic – or approaching that territory
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The NHS spends at least £10 billion a year on diabetes which is about 10% of its entire budget. Almost 80% of the money the NHS spends on diabetes is on treating complications.
There’s no time limit for achieving this significant shift. As per Diabetes UK, there are known cases of individuals who have successfully put their diabetes into remission many years post-diagnosis.
If you require assistance with this process, a useful guide is available on the Diabetes UK website, which can be accessed here.