Symptoms
In general, pre-diabetes is a symptom-less disease where most people who have pre-diabetes don’t even realize it. The disease typically only reveals itself during a blood test, but you may also have:
- Acanthosis nigricans: This is a condition where certain areas of the skin will be darker. Common areas that are affected include the neck, armpits, elbows, knees and knuckles.
- Type 2 diabetes signs: Increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue and blurred vision are all important to watch out for. If you start to feel these symptoms, then you may be in the later stages of pre-diabetes or early stage of type 2 diabetes.
Because pre-diabetes is likely to not reveal any symptoms until it’s turned into type 2 diabetes, it’s important to get routine checkups if you have any of the following risk factors:
- Over the age of 45
- Live a sedentary lifestyle
- Family history of type 2 diabetes
- Developed gestational diabetes while pregnant
- Sleep deprived and overweight
- If you’re African-American, Hispanic, American Indian, Asian-American or a Pacific Islander
Treatment
Pre-diabetes can be reversed, but it requires a lifestyle change. Improving your diet and exercise regimen is vitally important to reversing the effects of pre-diabetes and preventing the development of type 2 diabetes. Also, studies have shown that sleep deprivation and stress cause the body to be less sensitive to insulin. Therefore, it’s important to employ stress management techniques including: yoga, meditation, taking walks, massage and whatever else puts you in relaxed state of mind. There are also certain medications that can be prescribed that will help improve the body’s response to the insulin it makes. If you are unable to regulate your blood glucose levels on your own, then this can be a viable option that could help you live a healthier, happier life.