Prediabetes Causes
The exact cause of prediabetes is really unknown, although many in the medical communities have discovered genes which are related to insulin resistance. Important factors in the development of prediabetes seem to be excess fat, especially abdominal fat, and inactivity.
People who have prediabetes just are not quite processing glucose properly but it is not yet at the level where it would be considered a serious problem.
Often, prediabetics have no symptoms and signs. There is a condition that some prediabetics often show which is a darkened areas of skin in common areas such as armpits, neck, knees, elbows and knuckles. This condition is called acanthosis nigricans.
A person who has prediabetes needs to look for the classic red flags of Type 2 diabetes which include:
- Increase thirst
- Frequent urination
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
Ask your medical doctor about blood glucose screening especially if you develop any risk factors for prediabetes, such as:
- You are inactive
- Being overweight and your body mass index is above 25
- You are age 45 years of age and up
- There is a family trend of Type-2 diabetes
- You are Hispanic, African-American, Asian-American, American Indian, or a Pacific Islander or from India or other parts of Asia
- You are a woman with polycystic ovary syndrome (POS)
- You had gestational diabetes during pregnancy
- Your triglyceride levels are not normal
- You your blood pressure runs high
- You sleep only 5 ½ hours per night or less
You should always consult your doctor if you are in any of the risk groups or you notice any of the symptoms or signs of Type 2 diabetes.
Basically prediabetes is a warning sign telling you that you are at risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. It means that your blood glucose is higher than it should be. Most of the people who have Type-2 diabetes usually had prediabetes first. The really great news is that changing some health habits which help get your blood glucose back to normal can totally avoid or at least delay developing diabetes.
